Small Hands Philippines sponsored a forum and exposure last May 28, 2016 on the environment focusing on the impact of coal and its presence in Metro Manila.
Entitled Coal in the City, the forum, held at Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation, Inc. in Sampaloc, Manila started with a discussion by Carlos Manalansan of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KPNE) on the state of the Philippine environment. He emphasized how the Philippines, which is very rich in natural resources and diverse ecosystems is suffering from massive environmental degradation and resource depletion.
The forum was followed by a discussion by Carlos Geraldino of Task Force on Urban Concientization (TFUC) on how the coal stockpile started and came to operate in Tondo in the City of Manila since 2013. TFUC also invited the participants to join in the advocacy in calling for the total closure of the coal stockpile and demand indemnification from Rock Energy due to the damages it has done to the health of the residents and the environment.
After the forum, the participants headed to Sitio Happy Land in Brgy 105 to hear and witness the situation of the residents in the said area particulartly how their lives are affected by the presence of the coal stockpile.