There is a controversial reclamation project in Dumaguete City that threatens many residents of Barangay 1 or also known as Barangay Tinago with displacement.
I quote from an article from PhilStar by Iris Gonzales dated 5 November 2023:
…understand why the gentle people – as the inhabitants of this place are called – are against any reclamation plans in this town on Negros Island.
Land reclamation projects promise jobs, urbanisation and economic development. But the gentle people reject such promises.
Instead, they ask: development for whom?…
…The community’s opposition goes beyond loud protests. There’s also the Save Tinago Alliance composed of residents of Brgy. Tinago, the community directly affected by the ongoing reclamation project.
Last month, two environmental groups, Kahugpungan para sa Kinabuhi ug Kinaiyahan and Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental (FENOr), along with five coastal community members in Brgy. Tinago, have submitted a 44-page complaint before the City/Provincial Fiscal’s Office, asking the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the Pantawan 2 project.
In summary, petitioners want the government to stop the reclamation projects and instead invest in sustainable initiatives that would protect and improve the city and its precious marine ecosystem…
…Dumaguete is known as a City of Gentle People but behind the gentleness is a people’s struggle against reclamation. We all must help this community save its beautiful city. It is, after all, one of the few remaining marine sanctuaries in the Philippines.
End of quote
We met the twin sisters Neneng and Peachy at a village fiesta and got talking about where they live.
Both were born in Barangay Tinago in Dumaguete City around 60 years ago and have spent their entire lives there. Neneng’s two sons are fishermen and earn their meagre living in the same way as many other villagers. Now they are to be resettled in the mountains and they are asking themselves what they are supposed to live on there.
We visited this village community with our camera and got an overview of the situation. Without exception, we met simple and friendly people. People who were born here more than 60 years ago and children who were recently born. All of them are facing an uncertain future, but have not lost their zest for life.
We wish the village community all the best for the future.
