In the afternoon of May 25, angry residents of Barangay 105 Happyland, Tondo, rushed to the barangay (village) covered court to have a dialogue with the representatives of Rock Energy, a company operating a coal stockpile stored in the community.
The residents were demanding for the closure of the stockpile due to the adverse effects it is causing the community. The stockpile operates in the area since 2014.
Some residents were able to catch up with the company engineer and manager discussing with Barangay Chairman Elenita Reyes.
“We want to talk to the barangay chairman only,” said the engineer, who refused to be identified.
The engineer left the premises in haste, leaving the manager to contend with the village chief and the residents.
When asked when the stockpile will be pulled out, the manager assured the Reyes that the stockpile would be pulled out in two weeks time. The manager declined to be identified or interviewed for this article.
According to barangay councilor Val Biñas, Rock Energy has already been summoned by the barangay councils before but the company kept on breaking their promise to pull out.
“It is not just our community that is affected,” said Biñas. “Even other nearby barangays are affected as well,” he added.
Barangay 105 is a densely populated village. In 2010 alone, it had a total population of 25,844, according to Philippine Statistics Authority.
“I am not aware of any permit issued by the Barangay to Rock Energy for its coal stockpile,” said Biñas.
According to Rock Energy’s website, “the port facility located in Manila [is] specifically designed to comply with safety and environmental standards in handling various bulk materials.”
However, residents of Happyland tell a different story.
Adverse effects on health
“We could no longer eat properly because coal dust settles on our food,” says Henry Berbon, a resident of Barangay 105.
Berbon’s livelihood is also affected.
“I am a street food vendor. I could not cook properly because of the coal dust settling on the bagoong (fish paste) I am cooking,” said Berbon.
Berbon’s hands were blackened with a single swipe of a plate lying around.
According to Gabriela-Happyland member Gemma Tolero, children and adults in the community suffer from health problems because the coal stockpile.
“Asthma, coughing, skin rashes and fever is common amongst the children,” she said.
“We will set up a barricade if company breaks their promise [to pull out in two weeks]. We will close the stockpile ourselves if they refuse to comply,” warned Tolero.
