In partnership with the UST Sociological Society, the UST Simbahayan Community Development Office held an advocacy forum titled ‘Free the Freedom Islands’ on October 26, 2016 at the Audio Visual Room of the Beato Angelico building.
The speakers were Prof. Arlen Ancheta, Ph.D., Fr. John Leydon, M.S.S.C., and Ms. Glacy Macabale, Campaign Director of Save Freedom Island Movement. The speakers discussed the effects of commercialization and the threat they pose to nature especially on the mangrove forest which holds nutrients for the organisms, and block the flood waters as well.
Ancheta said the livelihood of the fishermen in the area will also be compromised if the reclamation would push through. Macabale said the local government benefits from such projects and receives a small amount of commission; it would inflict harm on the local residents whose livelihood is fishing.
