Did you know that an island in the Philippines, later recognized as "the center of the center" of marine shorefish biodiversity, was threatened by the construction of a plant in the 1970s? Thankfully, its people stood strong.
If built, it would’ve put the rich biodiversity of Verde Island Passage at stake.
San Juaneños sparked a peaceful environmental movement to resist the copper smelter and fertilizer complex in a Diocesan poll, resulting in an ordinance proclaiming every Oct. 22 as “Araw ng Pagkakaisa para sa Kalikasan ng Bayan ng San Juan” (Day of Unity for Nature in San Juan Town).
Women-led Barako Publishing, publisher of the history book "Barako 77: The Story of Environmental Activism in San Juan, Batangas," at the first celebration of resistance on Oct. 22, 2024, brought over 400 scouts and scouters from the San Juan East and West district public schools to Barangay Imelda, where a “bugang lason” copper smelter was set to be established.
According to the publisher, the objectives of the camporee (gathering of scouting units) were “to educate the youth about San Juan’s rich biodiversity and natural resources, teach the history of San Juan with an emphasis on its environmental activism legacy, create a new generation of eco champions for San Juan, Batangas, and encourage the scouting culture and spirit in the town.”
In partnership with the Municipal Environment and National Resources Office, the Department of Education, and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the event conducted mangrove tree planting and coastal cleanup activities to contribute to achieving a greener future.
The publisher’s executive director, Farrah Rodriguez, also hinted at a future BSP adventure focusing on environmental conservation in San Juan, where participants could earn a patch featuring a tree native to the town.
Meanwhile, the book, written by researchers and historians, has various short essays and several illustrations that bring the spotlight on San Juan's history, social realities, and opposition to the copper smelter.
“Barako Publishing is a grassroots movement too. We are honored to deliver San Juan’s history book, a celebration of empowerment rooted in policy, and a strong community of supporters, the Barako Alliance. I want to build the esteem and protect the future of our San Juaneño youth through a love for the outdoors, values education, and practical life skills–the scouting adventure,” said publisher Ciara Marasigan-Serumgard.
The first Day of Unity for Nature in San Juan Town marked a gathering for environmental sustainability and a time when its community fought for the right to protect biodiversity. This helps prove that collective action serves as a valuable tool to demand justice and drive change. Conserving the planet's ecosystems is a civic duty, which must be upheld even in the face of threats, as the San Juaneños did with a burning passion for preservation.