HARIBON FOUNDATION

HARIBON ALERT
Take action. Support Lakad Laban sa Laiban Dam
Moved to November 4-11, 2009.

Seven Days of Action Against Laiban Dam was moved from October 14, 2009 (Wednesday) to November 4-11, 2009. One hundred (100) marchers composed of indigenous peoples, women, farmers, rural workers, urban poor, church workers and youth will march from General Nakar, Quezon to Malacañang, about 148 km, to protest against the construction of the Laiban Dam. But they need your help to succeed.

The location of the Laiban Dam is to be built in Kaliwa Watershed of the Sierra Madre. This watershed is an exceptional resource and recognized for its outstanding biodiversity by HARIBON (Important Biodiversity Area). The construction of Laiban Dam puts at risk already endangered species to be found in the watershed with an approximate area of 12,147 hectares of residual forests which hosts 172 species (flora) recorded, 39 of which are endemic and 17 threatened (5 critically endangered, 4 endangered and 8 vulnerable).

Notable species recorded in the area are endangered and rare Rafflesia manillana and jade vine Strongylodon macrobotrys; and other critically endangered dipterocarp species like Red Lauan Shorea negrosensis, White Lauan Shorea contorta, Mayapis Shorea palosapis, Bagtikan Parashorea malaanonan, Tiaong Shorea ovata and Dungon Heritiera sylvatica. The threatened species found in the area includes the critically endangered Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi, the Philippine Hawk-eagle Spizaetus philippensis, the Philippine brown dear Rusa marianna formerly known as Cervus mariannus, the Philippine warty pig Sus Philippensis and Luzon bearded wild pig. But all these could wipe out if the Laiban Dam is built.

Lakad Laban sa Laiban Dam is estimated to take seven days. Marchers are mostly indigenous peoples who are heads of families. In order to lighten their burden of leaving their families, we are calling for donations in cash or kind to cover their families' need for rice for the duration of the seven-day march.

We urge everyone to donate either in cash or in kind:
     target amount per family: P875
     Where, cost of rice is P35.00/kilo
     No of kilos required for 7 days for a family of six is 25
     number of families to be supported) is 40

     Total amout targeted:
     P35.00 x 25 kilos x 40 families= P 35,000

Rice donations can be dropped off at HARIBON office, 2/F Santos and Sons Bldg., 973 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City during office hours. Cash donations may be deposited at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)-Kalayaan, Quezon City Branch, Account Name: HARIBON Foundation, CA No. 1991-0036-02. Please fax us a copy of your deposit slip along with your name, address and contact number with the heading, "donation for Laiban campaign".

For inquiry, please contact HARIBON office at 434-46-42, Ms. Maribeth Baril at 0922-8151942 or Monica Edralin at 0922-8151938, 0917-8925325. We will be accepting donations only until October 9, 2009 as we need time to purchase the rice and deliver them to the concerned families.

You can help make a difference in saving lives and the Sierra Madre.

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