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Alleluia! Christ is coming! Christmas is fast approaching. People are so occupied in Manila deciding what to do with their garbage. What about those people in Semirara Island? They will be busy too shrieking the phrase, "Ay Caluya! Trash is coming!"
Caluya is the capital town of Semirara Island. "Kaluya" which sounds like "Caluya" means SAD in Kiniray-a, the dialect of Antiqueños. Isn't it ironic? However, it doesn't mean that people in Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique are sad. No, they are not! They are happy people like all other Antiquenos but if the rubbish of Metro Manila will be dumped in their place then it will surely make their life miserable. People of Semirara Island will have their Christmas on a pile of garbage.
 Once Metro Manila Development Authority decides to choose Semirara Island to be the dumpsite of Manila's garbage, it will be a catastrophe. A problem will not be solved by creating another problem. MMDA is not at all solving the garbage problems by merely throwing the trash. Rubbish should be destroyed. Making Semirara Island another Smokey Mountain and Payatas is not easing the problem but merely transferring the burden and disaster to another community.
What is happening in the Philippines? Christmas is supposed to be merry and not unhappy. So why make the people in Semirara Island suffer in grief and sorrow? Why do you, MMDA people, want them to spend their Christmas with a stinky and polluted air? Why are you depriving them of a clean environment? They will not be the only ones affected, but also the people from the neighboring towns like Libertad, Pandan, Culasi, and the Island of Boracay, which is one of the best beaches in the world.
No one can exclude Semirara from Antique. It will always be a part of Antique, and one of the natural attractions in the province. It is a bird sanctuary. Caluya, the town capital, is a marine turtle sanctuary as declared by the Ministry of Natural Resources (Administrative Order No. 4). Thus, Semirara, being part of Caluya, should also be protected from being exploited.
What will happen to a historical place like Antique? People have indeed forgotten their history. Remember the Ten Bornean Datus? Instead of making the province of Antique be recognized because of its historical contribution, they are going to make it remembered as a land of waste and garbage.
Before it's too late, let us protect the pristine beauty of Semirara Island, Boracay Island, Pandan Bay, and their beaches and coral formations. Let us protect the various species of seashells including rare ones that abound the area. Let us protect the people from losing their source of livelihood.
The coming New Year will be another brand new day for everybody, but it will be an odorous day for the people of Semirara Island.
HAVE A REAL MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
- By Sofie E. Hofmann, Switzerland |
