Persuasive Speech

Aren’t There Enough Seas for an Archipelago?

Teacher, Classmates, Good morning! It is a privilege to speak in front of you once again.

The days of my youth mostly circulated in the place which seemed impossible to lose
its title namely “The Fishing Capital of the Philippines” or most commonly known as
Navotas. A part of Manila? Yes it is! So you may have heard the current situation there; the
water shortage that causes outrage. How ironic is it to hear that the source of fish now lacks
water supply? I’ve once read a meme that had scattered all over the internet that says “hindi
ka taga-Navotas kung may tubig kayo.” (You’re not a resident of Navotas if you have water
supply) captioned in a photograph of outraged citizens surrounded by empty buckets in line
for water ration. It is a repetitive situation that I also encounter during the weekly home-
leave. I even heard an honest opinion that states that “Actually, walang karapatan ang Metro
manila na mawalan ng tubig dahil archipelago tayo.” (Actually, Metro Manila has no right
to experience water shortage because we are an archipelago) And so, the quote got me
thinking. How severe is the water shortage in Manila, if I were to ask for your curious
attention.

The government’s solution to this predicament can be found in the longest mountain
range in the Philippines, the Sierra Madre. From Teresa, Rizal to Infanta Quezon, the plan is
said to be a barrier will cross the Kaliwa River’s watercourse for impounding water and
therefore drowning a percentage of forestry that is a home for different breeds of animals of
rare kind. The collected waters will be used to compensate the water shortage in Metro
Manila. The project of Kaliwa Dam’s indicative construction is estimated to last from this
year to 2023 while it will cost 12.20 Billion Php. The 85% of that fund will be borrowed from
China, a dubious loan which mostly results to the loaner’s advantage. For we all know that
China’s intention is more than their petty cash that meets the eye. Upon hearing this declared
massive project, the indigenous Dumagat tribe are alarmed to the foreshadowed
consequences that might befall them and their own future. Some says “What can we ever do?
If the government is dedicated to pursuing this project, we are too powerless to make a stand”
and so they are. Their side, of course is something I ask of you to be placed in your
consideration.

The river is declared as an Ancestral Domain and according to the Indigenous

People Rights Act of 1997; their signatures of approval must be acquired first before the
project takes place. According to a Dumagat, this step is being neglected so the rallies and
protest continues to create noise and possibly chaos in the near future. The tribes that are to
be displaced are considered nomadic which means that their way of living is moving from
place to place. They grow and learn with land and nature acquiring an invaluable expertise of
ways to care for it. It is a knowledge that may cease to propagate once they are relocated
because of this project. Their voice of resentment can be more powerful once it evokes your
participation.

1
 If we don’t speak, who will? Of course I would want to speak for them too but I want
also want you to see that the two sides of a coin aren’t properly served here, and the side of
the government isn’t stated properly or rather vaguely.

So before you jump in that spirit for justice, let me point out something you may have
not notice. We never heard the Government’s side of the story. Is this really the lack of
transparency to be blamed to the administration again? Are the leaders that thought of this
solution are thoughtless enough not to think of the consequences of their decision? And are
the waters of our archipelagic country aren’t really enough to sustain the huge irony?

I’ll leave these questions in your head before you make a stand, because a move or
abstinence always results a consequence. That’s all sweet folks!