‘Environmental Balikatan’ proposed
A lawmaker is proposing to the national government to consider Mindoro as the site of environmental Balikatan that should be opened to all nations.
According to Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto, it is not yet late for the government to turn the Mindoro oil spill as site of an “environmental Balikatan” where even nations at loggerheads with each other, like the U.S. and China, can “work together in fighting a real ecological disaster instead of an imaginary enemy.”
He said the Philippines can bank on the “global humanitarian tradition” of helping a nation in distress “when its resources are overwhelmed by the challenges at hand.”
“Tayo naman ‘pag may disaster sa ibang bansa, automatic na nagpapadala ng tulong. Nang lumindol nga sa Turkey, nagpadala kaagad tayo ng isang eroplanong puno ng medical and rescue personnel and equipment,” he said.
When it comes to the oil spill, Recto said nations “are raring to test their manpower and equipment in real life, not tabletop, situation.”
“Sabi ng mga eksperto, maaga pa lang dapat humingi na ng tulong,” he said.
More than a month after MT Princess Empress sank off Naujan and Pola towns in Mindoro Oriental, reports said the 800,000 liters of industrial fuel it was carrying have seeped out and destroyed marine life in three regions.
Recto said if this month’s Balikatan in five provinces can mobilize 17,000 troops from three countries for a “mock war,“ then even a fraction of the personnel and logistics involved will be a great help “in battling a real, not simulated, ecological threat.
He added that if Beijing and Washington are competing for our affection, then they should see the Mindoro oil spill as an opportunity for them to show their solidarity with us.
“Each has made a declaration of support for us. But what we need is an actual demonstration that will affirm their intention,” he said.
“Kesa magbangayan kayo, pwede ba magtulungan muna dito? Ito totoong sakuna, hindi digmaan na kathang isip lamang. Kung mahalaga ang Taiwan sa mga higante, maaari din bang bigyan ng atensyon ang Naujan?” Recto said.
