Environmental Protest at Misamis Oriental

This is the most impulsive decision I did so far in 2020!

When Kuya Amiel invited us, Project DYESABEL, to an environmental initiative, I immediately answered my calling. He asked if I could represent our non-profit organization in a protest far away from our locality. I would be participating in a protest with the aim of dispatching illegal foreign dump. Since I am really an outgoing person who loves to wander without spending too much, I took this opportunity in a snap. Imagine doing two things you love at the same time!

So, I had decided to go to Misamis Oriental days before without asking permission from my father and my aunt. The only blood-related person I was able to tell about this was my brother. I’ve never felt liberation and action as fulfilling as this.

The group will rendezvous in Ateneo at exactly 1:00AM. I was not able to sleep the night before due to excitement, so I had decided to just sleep on our way there since it would take us almost eight hours to arrive. This would also be a great strategy not to miss any chances of sightseeing places through the car window because by the time the morning comes, when the sun rises with its brilliant light, I was certain to be awake by then.

We arrived at our destination at 9 o'clock. We ate our late breakfast in a carinderia where Philippine dishes we call: lutong bahay, were served to us. After we ate our breakfast, we gathered with the locals and the organizers of the event. All of us were there on the port holding our placards with our desired statements. It was a surprise to me that we would be doing this rally near the sea where various boats from different places can be seen. My excitement and passion continued to ignite especially during the time when we went to the place to actually see the dump. The sight was formidable and it really felt erroneous around. I knew then that the reason why I did not hesitate to participate. I figured out that my role as an environmental advocate must be strong-willed to face adversaries like this.

I did not regret joining this initiative. Together with Eco Waste Coalition and Sustainable Davao Movement, we supported the fight of the locals against this unlawfulness done by a foreign culprit. It is alarming that this happened to one of the most competent province in the country. With this stated, it is undeniably possible to blind the people from the good and turn the nation into a state of horror with its scent of irresponsibility hurling around pretending like its ours. This trash mountain is from South Korea. It was illegally imported in Misamis Oriental with the help of an alleged local. We cannot allow other countries to treat OUR land as dump sites. How powerful was the bribery to let this insolence happen?! We need immediate action for the people, for the country, for the environment!

Anyways, by the time we finish our protest, we planned to stop by Bukidnon and explore even just for a while. It was fun to realize I was able to visit other provinces for free. It was entirely a profitable for me to have these experiences. I will forever treasure this. Definitely looking forward to more fun and insightful trips!