OnJune 20, 1985, the province of Bataan was witness to the biggest protest-action directed against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), also known as the infamous “Monster of Morong”.
That day was the tail-end of a three-day protest dubbed Welgang Bayan Laban sa Plantang Nukleyar that drew an estimated 33,000 concerned Filipinos from all walks of life from as far as Manila and nearby provinces to march to Balanga, the capital town of Bataan. It was a march that made history, the overwhelming sentiment to put a stop to the operation of the BNPP made the province of Bataan stand still for a day.
They braved the heat, rain, fatigue, thirst and hunger, yet unwavering and steadfast against tanks and soldiers’ barricades. Bataan’s streets and dirt roads overflowing with ordinary folk, young and not so young, standing up for the sake of their loved ones against the danger of a fully-operational nuclear plant. It bespoke of the kind of heroism and unity that would bring about the EDSA Revolution only a few months away.
Now, with the operation of the BNPP relentlessly pursued by Pangasinan Cong. Mark Cojuangco and his cohorts in Congress, and as anti-nuke leaders and members face harassment and repression;we need to reflect on thelessons of the 1985 Welgang Bayan as we renew our efforts to dismantle the BNPP.
Nuclear Free Bataan Movement Network or NFBM would like to invite you in commemorating the historical Welgang Bayan on June 20,2009. We will retrace the SALAKBAYAN ( Sakay at Lakbay) all through the towns of Bataan, to the momentous meeting ( salubong ) at Barangay Tuyo in Balanga of the North and South contingents of that historical marchand will finish off with a program at Balanga Town Plaza.
For those who will be coming from Manila and other parts of the National Capital Region, please coordinate with us so that we can caravan to Bataan.
So that you can plan accordingly, the send-off in San Fernando Junction is scheduled at 7am and we are expected to meet up with the Zambales contingent by 9am in Layac.
From there we would caravan to the towns of Orion and Samal. In Samal, we will march to Abucay where we will have our lunch then afterwards continue onto Bgy. Tuyo to meet the South Contingent for the ‘salubong’ and a short program.
From there, the whole march would head to Balanga Town Plaza for the program proper.
Please wear comfortable green shirts, and footwear, as well as bring provisions for food and drink.If you can, please bring enough to share. If you would like to participate in the program, please don’t hesitate to inform us.
We hope to see you there!
You may contact Chester Amparo @ 09228765851 or email nfbmnet@gmail.com for more information.
Susugalan mo ba ang panganib ng plantang nukleyar?
Sa Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, nakasalang ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga minamahal sa buhay at mga susunod na salinlahi.
Lalo’t desidido at determinado ang mga pro-nukes, sa pangunguna ni Cong. Mark Cojuangco at Cong. Herminia Roman na paganahin ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) sa bisa ng panukalang HB 6300 (An Act Mandating the Immediate Rehabilitation, Commissioning and Commercial Operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant or Bataan Nuclear Power Plant of 2009).
Mula simula, pinuruhan ng dalawang tusong Kongresista ang probinsya ng Bataan, partikular ang bayan ng Morong na syang tahanan ng BNPP.Umugong ang bali-balitang may inilaang P50 Milyon para basagin ang anti-nukleyar na sentimyento ng taga-Bataan. Usap-usapan ding may Vice Mayor na pinagbili ang paninindigan sa halagang limang milyong piso.
Walang pinalampas na pagkakataon si Cojuangco, (karay nuong una ang mga konggresistang napapirma nya sa kanyang panukala) na mag-ronda barangay sa Morong, pilit kinukumbinsi ang mga tao na kaunlaran at trabaho kung sila’y susugal sa BNPP. Kaalinsabay nito, sunod-sunod namang naglabas ng pamprobinsya at pambayang resolusyon na tumututol sa BNPP.
Buwan ng Hunyo: tapos na ang dalawang buwang bakasyon ng mga mag-aaral at kabataan; Araw ng Kalayaan, mga karaniwang kaganapang iniuugnay sa ika-anim na buwan ng taon.
Para sa mamamayan ng Bataan,ito ang buwan pagpapakita pagkakaisa at paninindigan laban sa Plantang Nukleyar , dalawampu’t apat na taon ng nakalilipas.
Huwebes, Hunyo 20, 1985 animo’y ghost townang buong Bataan - walang pasok sa eskwelahan at pabrika, walang tao sa bukid,walang sasakyan sa lansangan; abala ang mga maybahay sa pag-aayos ng pamatid-uhaw o kaya’y pantawid-gutom sa libo-libong nagmamartsa laban sa Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, ang tinaguriang Halimaw ng Morong. Ang mga barikada’t tangke ng mga Philippine Constabulary (PC) ay walang nagawa sa malakas na daluyong ng mamamayang nagkakaisa.
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