Pedro Brand Residents block Roads in Fiery Protest Against Proposed Waste Treatment Plant
PEDRO BRAND,Dominican Republic - Residents of Cuba,Teh Avocado,and La Guayiga in Pedro Brand municipality staged a resolute protest Saturday against the planned construction of a solid waste treatment plant in their area. Demonstrators blocked rural roads, lit tires, and felled trees, vowing to continue their actions indefinitely until authorities halt the project.
The contested location is a vital ecological corridor connecting natural reserves, encompassing river sources, wetlands, and forested areas that provide habitat for protected species. Situated near the Ozama Wetlands National Park and the green belt of Greater Santo Domingo, the region also boasts growing ecotourism potential with natural spas and hiking trails.
Protesters fear the plant-whether a landfill or recycling facility-will disrupt the environmental balance,contaminate groundwater,damage soils,and negatively impact local biodiversity.They assert that previous peaceful appeals have been ignored and criticize a lack of openness and public consultation surrounding the project.
“The environmental impact would be devastating for thousands of families in Pedro Brand and neighboring areas,” said a community spokesperson. Residents have rejected any negotiation that would allow the installation to proceed in its current proposed location.
Community members are urgently calling on the Ministry of the Surroundings, the Pedro Brand City Council, the Dominican Municipal League, and solid waste regulatory bodies to release comprehensive environmental impact studies, disclose projected waste volumes, and relocate the initiative to a more suitable geographical area to safeguard the region’s ecological value.
