Philippines -- From January 18 to 20, 2012 Mr. Diony Yadao, peasant leader of the Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon ti Isabela (DAGAMI), visited Japan to campaign against land grabbing in Isabela, Philippines.
The DAGAMI is the provincial chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in Isabela..
Yadao said, “on January 18, I am one of the speakers during the Land Rush Symposium: Current Situation on the Investment for Agricultural Land and Sustainable Use of Biomass: How Japan should Act?” The symposium was held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo. Around 80 people (including Federal government officials, private sector especially traders, journalist, NGO/NPO, among others) attended the event. The symposium was co-organized by the NPO Biomass Industrial Society, Network, Friends of the Earth-Japan, and the Global Environmental Forum.”
The APC said that the audience were shocked to hear testimonies from Mr. Yadao on the issue related to the Japanese bio-ethanol project in Isabela, Philippines.
On January 19, Yadao attended the Public Seminar entitled “Isabela Bioethanol Project and Problems the Isabela Farmers have been Faced With” held at the Global Environmental Outreach Center (GEOC) also in Tokyo. At least 30 people (including journalist, NGO/NPO, citizens, students and Tomoko Maeda, Miss Earth Japan 2011 ). Participated in the seminar. The seminar was co-organized by Friends of the Earth- Japan and the
Action Center for Development and Rights (CADE)
Ms. Earth Japan 2011 remarked that “she used to know that biofuel is environmental-friendly but after this forum I learned that the biofuel projects have caused serious problems such as land grabbing, environmental impact and unfair labor practices. We need to do something to support the farmers in their action against this project.”
On January 21, another Public Seminar was held at Higashi-yama Iki-iki Citizens’ Activity Center in (Kyoto. Around 15 people (including NGO/NPO and other citizens) attended the seminar organized by the Action Center for Human Rights and Information of Philippines.
An audience stated that they have learned the complicated problems related to the Japanese bio-ethanol project in Isabela based on the presentation of Mr. Yadao. At this point, it is necessary for Japanese to do something with this issue, such as writing to Japanese companies, Itochu and JGC to stop the project. ##
Mr. Diony Yadao (DAGAMI)
Mobile number: +639-494353758