Groups urge PNoy to block P353 M budget for Apeco

Several groups on Wednesday urged President Benigno Aquino III to support Sen. Sergio Osmena III's move to block the proposed P353-million 2013 budget for the controversial Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (Apeco) project.

In a joint press statement, the militant fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, Panlalawigang Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Aurora, the umbrella Allliance Resist Apeco, Defend Aurora Movement and the Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon said President Aquino should consider the collective interest of the rural people of Aurora instead of honoring his alliance with the ruling Angara dynasty.

"All the President has to do is certify the zero-budget proposal for Apeco an urgent act of legislation which Senator Osmena has proposed," Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Salvador France said.

France said there must be a congressional audit of the P2 billion taxpayers’ money spent for Apeco over the last six years. 

France said two major protests - Dec. 8 in Casiguran, the site of Apeco and another in Central Aurora on Dec. 10 - show the people’s strong opposition to the Apeco project, contrary to claims of Sen. Edgardo Angara, Rep. Sonny Angara and Gov. Bella Angara-Castillo that the ecozone project enjoys the full support of the people.

On Tuesday, Osmeña vowed to block the P353 million proposed budget for Apeco next year. 

Last September, various organizations in Aurora appealed to Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to expedite the decision on the petion they filed on Oct. 10, 2011, asking the high tribunal to declare laws creating Apeco unconstitutional.