Averting the Stakes of Life Beside The Dead

Patricia Morales, Clarenz Manag, and Vhal Manansala

In the entire 48 years of her life, Edna Fernandez lived in a place thriving of life. But the home she had always known is now in the edge of eerie change. (for improvement)

               

It was in 2012 when rumors first flew around town that the agricultural land beside her residence will be converted into a private cemetery after being purchased by Mr. Efraim Genuino, former PAGCOR Chairman during the Arroyo administration. Worrying about their safety and seeing the roadside of the farm lot already being fenced without being certain what was to be constructed beside their homes, her neighborhood immediately sought action and verified the reports at their barangay office.

“Pinulong kami ng developer kasama ang barangay captain at saka ‘yong Sangguniang Barangay at sinabi nga nila na ‘yong plano na magtatayo dyan ng memorial park,” Edna stated

Although there were still no building operations happening aside from the fencing of the land perimeter, the local residents decided to start a signature petition to express their disapproval on the proposed development as a preventive measure. Soon after, no other news was heard about the plan – even the perimeter fencing was left on hiatus, and the land was left idle.

But just last year, they were again surprised when the fence construction resumed, this time on the side of their houses with the concrete piled so high they could not even catch a glimpse of the green pastures they have grown accustomed to.

2^nd Breaker

The residents were already having an idea that the plan of the developers might be resumed, since the fencing was built according to the former structural plan. They have also talked to the contractors and the workers and they learned that the cemetery, in fact, will push through.

Edna, along with the other residents beside the residents was then called last April for a public forum, which was attended by their mayor, baranggay officials and developers.

“Parang naging confirmation na lang ‘yong galing sa barangay na ‘yon nga daw, itutuloy.”

It was then discussed in the site development plan presentation by Oikodomeo Constructions Corporation, an engineering and architectural firm based in Taguig, that the 5.16-hectare lot will in fact be converted into a memorial garden resort.

(Explain blueprint: We are still trying to find a specialist who will be able to explain the blueprint)

3^rd Breaker

Constructing a business infrastructure in a farming land can be a question, but since the Genuino property was stagnated for years, it could already be classified as idle land; therefore building a business there would not contravene any law.

But there is a much bigger elephant in the room.

More than the proximity of their houses on the proposed cemetery, the residents are concerned about the health threats that it possess.

“… ‘Yong slope ng lupa ng memorial park is pababa sya. Dahil sa pababa ang slope ng lupa sa kabahayan (at) sa mga palayan, iniisip namin na maaaring magkaro’n ‘to ng masamang epekto sa health o kalusugan ng mga residente. Kasi syempre ano ‘yan e… may involved dyan na human decay.”

According to the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) protocol, the site plan of creating a cemetery in the mentioned land is questionable. It is stated:

Rules and Regulations for Memorial Parks and Cemeteries, Rule III Section 9

 General Provisions, Locations

A.1.2.2 An area where the dominant land use within one hundred meters from the periphery of the proposed memorial park/ cemetery is neither residential, commercial industrial or institutional.

It was also mentioned in the HLURB regulation that the proposed cemetery should not be allowed in environmentally critical areas, such as an active agricultural land (Physical Suitability, A. 2.1.), and must be “located on ground where the water table is not higher than four and 4.50 meters below the ground surface as certified by the National Water Resources Board.” ( A 2.2)

So far the project is still under study and only the fencing permits have been issued. But according to an interview with Angat Mayor Leonardo De Leon, he is very much in favor of the construction of the memorial park for he says it will bring a lot of opportunities in their municipality.

“Kung maitayo iyon ay maraming mabubuting bagay ang mangyayari, tulad ng ‘yong mga nanungkulan sa bayan na ito ay ilipat do’n,” Mayor De Leon said.

He was also convinced that the proposed plan would not violate any law, and when asked about the HLURB regulation that will be violated once the cemetery will push through, De Leon said: (quote comparing older cemeteries to the new cemetery’s location: to be transcribed)

But then he added that the proposal would not be approved if the barangay captain would not release the permit.

(Quote)

We tried to get a statement from Mr. Amang Enriquez, Barangay Captain of Marungko. But after several attempts, he was not able to grant us an interview due to his busy schedule.

4^th Breaker/Conclusion

                Marungko is undeniably quite slow-progressing in terms of urbanization. But recently, huge establishments had started paying attention to its civic potentials, promising to contribute to its success in exchange of capitalizing on anything it’s got – from its river, to farming lands – and now possibly even on the dead. But may they thrive with regards to the living. (for improvement)