Coalition threatens suit vs La Mesa housing project

A coalition of environmental groups will go to court to stop the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and two of its employees’ unions from constructing a housing project inside the La Mesa watershed in Quezon City.

The Save La Mesa Coalition urged President Arroyo yesterday to step into the case.

Speaking to reporters at the Luna Gardens function room in Rockwell Center Makati, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, a convenor and member of the coalition, said they will be filing a class action suit against officials of MWSS and the Kaisahan at Kapatiran ng Manggagawa at Kawani sa Nawasa and the Balara Employees and Laborers Association.

“The construction of the housing project in La Mesa poses serious threats to our supply of clean water in the country,” she said. “It will poison the water supply.”

Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. executive, also a convenor and member of the coalition, said Mrs. Arroyo has declared La Mesa Watershed as a protected area, but subject to private rights.           

“We are appealing to the President to consult the lawyers,” she said.

“We pose strongest objection to the statement that the protected La  Mesa Watershed is subject to private rights. Being issued by the highest office in the land, this puts in peril the few remaining watersheds in the country. We cannot allow this to happen.”

In a statement, the Save La Mesa Coalition said Mrs. Arroyo must take all measures to ensure the safety and conservation of the country’s natural resources.

“We feel the highest office in the land should take on all measures to ensure the safety and conservation of our natural resources and that matters of collective interest should always be placed above the interests of a few,” read the statement.

“We are not against the housing rights of 1,400 people. Efforts should be taken to find an alternative housing site for them.

“Two University of the Philippines studies have in no uncertain terms stated that our water supply will be in peril should this occur.”

The coalition said they will not hesitate to exercise all legal remedies to stop the housing project from being built in La Mesa watershed.

“We shall not hesitate to exercise all available legal remedies, including the filing of a class action suit, to enforce the constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology and their right to health,” the coalition said.

“We enjoin environmentalists all over the world who understand the threat of water pollution, land degradation and global warming to join us in taking a strong stand against the prejudicing of vital water resource areas to the selfish benefits of private interest.”

Sen. Pia Cayetano said Mrs. Arroyo’s declaration of La Mesa watershed as a protected area subject to private rights could spell a big difference in efforts to safeguard the watershed from destruction and possible contamination.

“Allowing any activity that endangers the very existence of La Mesa is tantamount to disregarding its designation as a protected area,” she said.

Citing a 2004 study by the UP-based National Hydraulic Research Center, Cayetano said the construction of a wastewater treatment plant would require a minimum capital of P46 million, on top of an annual operating cost of P17 million.

“The mitigating measures were meant to prevent wastewater from seeping to the impounding dam. But neither the MWSS administration nor the housing beneficiaries have indicated willingness to shoulder the cost,” she said.

“So how can we be assured now of the safety of our water supply? I hope the President was properly briefed on the matter, for how can she issue a blanket statement about recognizing existing private rights when those involved have shown no commitment to avert the potential damages of the housing project?”

Former senator Sergio Osmeña III said he will help lobby against the planned housing project in La Mesa watershed.

Members of Save La Mesa Coalition belong to environmental groups like Greenhealth, WWF, Miriam College, University of Sto. Tomas, Assumption and the Far Eastern University, among others,