Headline News June 4-10, 2012
Churches in central Taiwan lend support to farmers protesting against water diversion pipeline project
Reported by Lin Yi-ying
Written by Lydia Ma
Farmers from Changhua’s Sijhou Township were joined by concerned artists on May 29, 2012 at a protest against the National Science Council (NSC). The farmers had begun a sit-in protest against the NSC earlier in the month for its approval of a project to build a 23 km underground pipeline to divert water from Cizaipijun in Sijhou Township — a major irrigation channel in southern Changhua for farmers in central Taiwan — to Erlin Township for the industrial needs of Central Taiwan Science Park in its Erlin campus. “The Science Park is stealing water. The project must be stopped immediately!” they protested.
According to reports, Erlin campus was built to cater to the needs of AU Optronics Corporation, but the campus’ demand for water decreased significantly when AU changed its mind and confirmed that it wouldn’t be moving to Erlin after all. In spite of this announcement, work on the pipeline continued because the NSC decided to transform the campus into an industrial park for precision machinery corporations beginning in 2015. This decision has outraged many farmers in Sijhou who are vehemently opposed to the idea and want to protect agricultural water.
Sijhou Presbyterian Church pastor, Chen Mu-chien, and the church’s elder Chen Yi-ming were present at this protest. Chen said that it was his duty speak out on this issue as a local pastor and resident. He added that there was barely enough water for farming in the area and if agricultural water was further diverted, residents from Sijhou would surely lose their livelihoods.
There are about 120 members attending Sijhou Church, most of whom are farmers. This project would have a severe adverse effect on them, Chen said. For this reason, he hopes that all churches in Taiwan can rally behind these farmers and remember them in their prayers.
PCT Church and Society Committee Secretary Huang Che-yen was also present at the protest. He wondered aloud why the welfare of farmers is always sacrificed on the altar of economic development and industrial expansion. “This is extremely absurd!”, he exclaimed, adding that in face of global warming and food shortage crises all over the world, water has become a valuable resource. He does not understand why the Taiwanese government would go against common sense by diverting farm water and inflict such harm on precious produce.
Huang, Chen, and Changhua Presbytery Church and Society Committee Chairman Rev. Hsiao Tzu-ming were present at a recent public hearing on issues pertaining to this water diversion project. “It is through the presence of local pastors and Christians at these meetings and their efforts in helping us understand what issues are at stake that we can then notify the rest of the PCT and galvanize support,” Huang said. He added that the role of the General Assembly Church and Society Committee is act as a go-between so that local churches can partner with local residents.
Photo by: Lin Yi-ying
