Video Related To: Fisherfolk, environmentalists join fight vs. Manila Bay reclamation project

March 3, 2012 Obando Church ================================================================ SUPREME COURT GRANTS BULACAN FOLK RELIEF IN FIGHT VS LANDFILL By TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 5:47 am | Sunday, March 4th, 2012 Relief in the form of a legal remedy from the Supreme Court (SC) has raised the hopes of residents opposed to the construction of a P1-billion landfill on Manila Bay off Obando, Bulacan. The Supreme Court has issued a writ of kalikasan in favor of the residents who warned that the operation of the private landfill would set off an "environmental catastrophe.'' The writ is granted to those "whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated, or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission... involving environmental damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces." In a February 21 en banc resolution, the Supreme Court resolved to issue the writ and referred the case to the Court of Appeals. It ordered the respondents, including Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, to file a verified return showing that they did not violate any environmental law or commit any act resulting in environmental damage. However, it put on hold the issuance of a temporary environmental protection order pending the hearing. "Reply Required" The high court also required the petitioners to file a consolidated reply to the respondents' comments on their petition. Clerk <b>...</b>