Pope urged to back People's Mining bill

By Ivy C. Tejano

Friday, January 16, 2015

ENVIRONMENTALISTS are appealing to Pope Francisto support their call for the passage of the People's Mining Bill in the wake of what they called "meaningless exploitation of mineral resources in the countryside."

Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) spokesperson Kim Gargar said House Bill 4315 or The People's Mining Bill will help protect the forests destroyed by big mining corporations.

The bill will eventually lead to the nationalization of the mining industry and the changing of its export-oriented nature, Gargar said.

"In the spirit of pro-people religious stand, we hope that the Pope would express his support for the bill, so our lawmakers will pass it as law. We also hope that through the Pope, people may see the relevance of this law, how this would greatly benefit the people and the economy," Gargar said.

Republic Act 7942 or The Mining Act of 1995 allows the liberalization of mining industries, giving foreigners the right to fully own mining companies in the country. The bill has been decried as unconstitutional by various groups since its ratification.

"The only Christian thing to do in this situation is to call for the immediate cessation of foreign mining operations. To destroy the environment is to destroy the life of the people. We call on the Pope to hear our call to protect the people and the environment," Gargar said.

The spokesman said the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had long ago made a call against mining in the country.

NEWS: 1.2 Million budget allotted for Davao’s marine protected areas

Source: Davao Today

December 17, 2014

By Bal Kenneth Aballe, Davao Today Intern

DAVAO CITY – A German corporation pledged a total budget of P1,268,000.00 to facilitate researches and activities for the Davao City’s marine protected areas (MPA).

According to Councilor Marissa P. Salvador-Abella, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, the funding for the project proposal, entitled as “Strengthening Established Marine Protected (MPA) Network within Davao and Conservation of Biologically Important Species”, reaffirms the significance of the MPAs.

“Gesellschaftfur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German Development Cooperation which primarily supports foreign developing countries focusing on the environment and infrastructure fortunately approved the project proposal of the Committee on Agriculture in establishing and managing networks for the marine protected area in Davao City,” Abella said.

The Davao City Marine Protected Areas Ordinance of 2007 mandates the establishment of marine protected areas to protect and rehabilitate critical habitats, increase fish productivity, enhance biodiversity and promote eco-tourism and research.

Map showing the coastal habitat and uses of Brgy. Lasang and Bunawan, Davao City, Philippines. From PDF source.

The city has three MPAs including Bunawan-Lasang MPA (415 hectares), Agdao Centro MPA (21 hectares) and Matina-Aplaya (37 hectares).

There are also other MPAs not covered by the MPA Ordinance such as in Barangay Hizon (2.5 hectares), Barangay Lapu-Lapu (6.6 hectares), Barangay Dumoy (3 hectares), Barangay Bago Aplaya (3 hectares) and Barangay Lizada (5 hectares).

The German funding will go through the University of Southern Philippines (USEP) Extension Office.

“One of the objectives of the project is to establish and manage a network of marine protected area in the City,” Abella said.

The project will also serve to “reduce illegal fishing activities by 10% through the enforcement of Local Fisheries Code of Davao City”.

“Our City is very fortunate to have been chosen as a recipient of the project. On the part of the City, it does not have to shell out additional funds for this project because the allocation for MPA Ordinance implementation will serve as counterpart and the same is already available in the City Agriculturist Office,” Abella said. (davaotoday.com)

NEWS: Envi group to present alternatives to proposed oil palm project in Davao

Source: MindaNews

By Lorie Ann Cascaro on June 29 2014 6:16 pm

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 June) — Environmental group Panalipdan Southern Mindanao said Saturday it is poised to present to the City Council alternatives to proposed oil palm plantations in Paquibato and Marilog districts here.

Malaysian and Thai companies had earlier expressed interest in planting oil palm in these areas.

Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte criticized the group’s opposition to the project saying they did not suggest anything to alleviate poverty in the area. His father, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, also a staunch supporter of the project, said the opposition should suggest alternatives.

“We considered the suggestion to present alternatives to the city council,” said Belen Galleto, Panalipdan-SMR spokesperson. “In fact, we urge the government to review the perils such as what we mentioned in our (previous) statement,” she added.

In its statement, Panalipdan-SMR said that based on local and international experiences, foreign corporate-controlled palm oil plantations became drivers of social conflicts aside from causing environment degradation.

“So, it’s not likely that it’s an end-all and be-all in addressing poverty and insurgency. Indeed, it is not,” Galleto told Mindanews.

She said the group will present their alternatives to palm oil industry as soon as the City Council invites them.

Vice Mayor Duterte earlier asked why Panalipdan voiced out its objection when this was a “possible remedy” to poverty in the areas.

In response to the younger Duterte, Galleto said, “actually, the people’s movement has presented alternatives a long time ago.”

“The roadmap to address poverty and armed conflict is to address their root causes, which are mainly foreign corporate control, landlessness and agrarian injustices, and bureaucratic corruption. Instituting basic reforms such as genuine and thorough going agrarian reform and nationalist industrialization are among the alternatives presented by the people’s movement,” she said.

Such alternatives, she added are also the people’s peace agenda on peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front. Mayor Duterte has been urging the resumption of the talks.

“Panalipdan-SMR wants to have a dialogue with the Dutertes and members of the City Council to convey our position and suggestions,” Galleto said.

The group cited workers strikes against Malaysian-controlled Agusan Plantation, Inc. (API), Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation, Inc. (FPOPI), and Agumil in Agusan del Sur in November 2012 due to poor working conditions, lack of health and other benefits, and low wages.

Panalipdan said palm oil plantation expansion “has resulted to land grabbing such as the case in Opol, Misamis Oriental wherein A. Brown Company, Inc. started to establish 2,000 hectares of oil palm farms encroaching the Higaonon’s ancestral lands.”

In addition, oil palm plantation expansion has led to land use conversion resulting to a sharp decline in food production, which according to the group is “one of the factors of rice price hikes other than the hoarding of cartels and corruption of government’s agriculture agencies.”

“In fact, Davao City is one of the major rice importers in the country due to the continuous decline of 40% of local rice production since the expansion of pesticides-dependent monocrop farms in watershed areas,” Galleto said. (Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews)

NEWS: Envi group opposes fish cages in Lasang

Source: Sunstar Davao

May 31, 2013

An environmental group warned Friday that allowing commercial fish pens in the sea off Lasang, Davao City may harm the ecosystem in the area.

Reacting to City Agriculturist Office (CAO) chief Valente Turtur's statement that fish cage operators are now allowed to operate, Juland Suazo, spokesperson of the Panalipdan Southern Mindanao, said Lasang has been declared as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and the presence of fish cages may pose a threat to the local species of fish and coral reefs.

"We want to know CAO's basis. No haste in decision should be made because Lasang is identified as MPA due to sightings of critically endangered species whale sharks and marine turtles and relatively good conditions of coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangroves based on Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA)," Suazo said in text message.

He said this may also have a bearing on the local fisherfolk who help enforce the "fishery laws" and in the protection of mangroves.

"We want clarifications on its (CAO) decision. We warn that commercial fish pens could compete with and displace poor fisherfolk," he said.

In a phone interview, Turtur admitted that there are indeed parts from Bunawan to Lasang seas that have been declared as Marine Protected Area.

However, he said the actual site where the planned mariculture park will be put up is far from where the protected area is based on the recommendation made by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

"Tama gyud na ang ilang giingon nila. Naay portion sa Lasang nga marine protected pero layo ra (They are right about what they said. There's a portion in Lasang that is a marine protected, but it's still far)," he said.

Turtur said they will also be putting up a buffer zone that will try to contain whatever wastes the fish cages may produce in order to maintain the cleanliness of the sea.

"Pero tan-awon pud nato ang carrying capacity sa dagat para ma-avoid ang fish kills tungod sa grabe nga input sa chemicals (We also need to look into the sea's carrying capacity to avoid fish kills caused by excessive input of chemicals)," Suazo said.

The environmental group maintained that it wants to educate the public that there are sightings of endangered sea creatures that may be gone, unless their natural habitat is well taken care of.

Suazo said they are willing to sit down with the CAO official to discuss the matter, adding they would also like to know how the buffer zone is done.

"It's for the future, it must not be compromised," he said, adding that a consultation meeting with the locals in Lasang must also be done.

In a previous report, Turtur said operators who want to put up fish cages in Lasang must secure prior documents such as Environmental Compliance Certificate from Department of Environment and Natural Resources, barangay clearance, and license to operate from CAO.

He said the closure order issued by the City Government last year on the fish cages in Punta Dumalag stays.

Farmers, small miners seek scrapping of Mining Act

Source: Sunstar Davao

March 3, 2011

AROUND 30 farmers and small-scale miners from Compostela Valley province and Paquibato District in Davao City staged a rally Thursday in San Pedro Street against the negative impact of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Spearheaded by Panalipdan Southern Mindanao, the protesters called for the junking of the widely contested Mining Law.

Panalipdan secretary general Francis Morales said the Mining Act is the culprit behind the massive pillage of the country's mineral resources and the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest areas, watershed areas and water systems.

"The people have long been demanding for the scrapping of this unconstitutional law and we urge President (Benigno) Aquino to listen to the call of the people and mother earth," Morales said.

With the enactment of the Mining Law (Republic Act 7942) in 1995, Morales said "the government must remain its control in mining industry to avoid foreign monopoly in the mining industry."

"Technology, research should be maximized to develop sound small scale mining practices. Mining should not be allowed within the areas of great environmental significance," he added in a statement.

As an alternative, Panalipdan SMR said it supports House Bill 4315 or An Act Re-Orienting the Philippine Mining Industry.

Also called the "Peoples Mining Bill," this alternative mining policy aims to address the need for an alternative framework for the mining industry that should be anchored on the principles of social justice, respect for peoples' rights and welfare, environmental conservation, defense of national patrimony and national industrialization.

Partylist representatives Teddy Casiño, Luz Ilagan, Neri Javier filed House Bill 4315 before the Lower House on March 2. (Jhun Gatmaitan)

NEWS: Envi advocates want 16-year old Mining Law scrapped, push instead for the People's Mining Bill

Source: DurianBurgDavao

March 3, 2011

Davao City — On the 16th year of the passage of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, local environmental alliance PANALIPDAN Southern Mindanao takes to the streets calling for the junking of the widely- contested mining law. Farmers and members of the small scale mining industry also joined the protest outside the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where they destroyed an image showing the negative impacts of RA 7942.
Meanwhile, farmers from Paquibato District strongly opposes the 16,200 – hectare mining application of INDOPHIL RESOURCES covering the areas of Davao City, Talaingod and Bukidnon; the 8,100 hectare application of ALBERTO Mining and the 8,100 hectare application of PENSIONS MINING Corp in Paquibato. The residents of Brgy. Lumiad and Mapula also contested the mining application of a certain Superfields Mining Company which covers more than 6,000 hectares of their barangay.

A LOCAL CODE AGAINST LARGE SCALE & FOREIGN MINING URGED

“We urge the local governments all over Davao region to adopt a code against large scale and foreign mining. Despite the Mining Act, the people should have the right to assert that their localities reject foreign and large-scale mining ”said Morales.
He adds, “Technology, research should be maximized to develop sound small scale mining practices. Mining should also not be allowed within areas of great environmental significance. It is also important that the mining industry remain under government control to avoid foreign monopoly of the mining industry.

PANALIPDAN also stressed that national development must not rely on extractive industries like mining.
“Genuine land reform is still the key to national progress. Pump-priming agriculture is still the number one step to rehabilitate our environment. This is incontrast to the rehashed globalization policies of the Aquino government like the Public Private Partnership agreement which emboldens foreign corporations like mining TNCs for the large-scale plunder of our natural resources,” said Morales.

As an alternative, PANALIPDAN – SMR supports House Bill 4315, An Act Re-Orienting the Philippine Mining Industry, Ensuring the Highest Industry Development Standards, and For other Purposes, which progressive partylist representatives Teddy Casino, Luz Ilagan, Neri Javier et al filed in the lower house yesterday (March 2).
Also tagged as the “Peoples’ Mining Bill,” this alternative mining policy aims to “address the need for an alternative framework for the mining industry which should be anchored on the principles of social justice, respect for peoples’ rights and welfare, environmental conservation, defense of national patrimony and national industrialization.”
“We recognize the importance of mining but developing the mining industry should be on the framework of providing minerals needed for national development rather than for foreign extraction and profit. The national government has the burden of uplifting the status of the small scale mining industry for the welfare of the small scale miners and to minimize the harmful impacts of mining on the environment,” said Morales.

“The Mining Act is the culprit behind the massive pillage of our mineral resources and the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest covers, watershed areas and water systems. The people have long been demanding for the scrapping of this unconstitutional law and we urge the current president to listen to do the country, the planet, a big favor,” said Francis Morales, Panalipdan secretary general.

Yesterday, small scale miners filed a petition at the province of Governor Chongkee Uy demanding that the mineral rich province declare a local law that prohibits the operation of any large-scale or foreign mining transnationals (TNCs). This is part of a local environmental code that PANALIPDAN member organizations have been pushing all over the region.

NEWS: 40th Earth Day celebration: Human Chain encircle Freedom Park, to light up 118 torches

Source: DurianBurgDavao

April 25, 2010

Davao City, April 22 — 118 torches were lit around the Freedom Park in a tribute to the nation’s 118 ethnolinguistic tribes who serve as the guardians and stewards of the Earth.

In commemoration of the 40th Earth Day, more than 118 lumads clad in their traditional attire together with environmental advocates will hold a symbolic action for unity in advancing stronger environmental protection.

KATRIBU Partylist and PANALIPDAN (Defend!) unveiled a 6-foot tall billboard which enumerates their ten major fighting calls for environmental defense.

“This environmental agenda highlights our calls to reclaim our environmental rights, our human rights amidst the worsening ruin and exploitation of the environment. This is our statement against development aggression which has spawned tragedies after tragedies, deprived us of the fruits of our land, and caused the wanton landlessness and poverty that majority of lumads and poor Filipinos are suffering from,” said Diolito Diarog, coordinator for KATRIBU Davao City.

As a symbolic affirmation of their commitment to protect Mother Earth, lumad leaders and environmental advocates signed and marked their handprints on the billboard.

The agenda primarily calls for the stop of large-scale corporate mining , energy, logging and other destructive projects which shall be pursued by KATRIBU and its support groups in the local and national policy-making venues. The billboard shall be transferred from different schools in Davao Region as part of Katribu’s advocacy and education campaigns.

The multicultural gathering peaked in a torch parade to show the unity of sectors for environmental defense.

Other groups who participated in the activity were KADUMAHAN, SAGIP, Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI), Kabiba, Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) and other political groups such as the Satur Ocampo for Senator Movement, Liza Maza for Senator Movement and other individual environmentalists.

NEWS: Illegal loggers behind Camangyan murder

Source: DurianBurgDavao

August 18, 2010

Illegal loggers were behind the killing of broadcaster Desidario Camangyan, according to an environmental activist.

Benedictine Sister Stella Matutina said the 52-year old Camangyan was an anti-logging activist and was killed despite wielding sort of influence being a broadcast journalist.

This means, according to Matutina, that environmental activists in Davao Oriental could expect a similar bloody consequence.

Camangyan, noted for his anti-logging commentaries over radio station Sunrise FM in Mati City, was gunned down while hosting a singing contest in Mabini, Davao Oriental.

Matutina of pro-environment non-governmental organization Panalipdan said the Camangyan killing should lead environmentalists to rethink their battle to stop illegal logging and mining activities in the province.

Matutina, like other activists in the province, herself has received death threats for her environmental campaign.

Illegal logging is rampant in the province and object of a government campaign. On September 10 last year, the provincial environment officer, Eulogio Baltazar, was shot dead at a restaurant in Mati City.

But while she said that environmental activists should be worried about their safety, she said keeping their watch down could mean illegal loggers and miners would be emboldened to further violate the environment.

Police have yet to establish the motive behind the killing, but Davao Regional Police spokesman Supt. Querubin Manalang said Camangyan’s murder could have been due to his commentaries against illegal logging and mining.

We are also looking at the political angle, he said.

NEWS: Mining firm rapped for rape of DavOr forests

Source: DurianBurgDavao

August 18, 2010

Environmental rights network PANALIPDAN Davao Oriental Chapter demanded that commercial logging in Davao Oriental be permanently stopped and that PhilYoubang Mining Corporation, a Chineese Mining Firm, be penalized for its brazen logging operations in Brgy Macambol in Mati.
.
In a fact finding mission in Sitio Sopsopon, Brgy Macambol in Mati town last June 9, PANALIPDAN – DavOr found out that Philippine Youbang Mining Corp. which has a mining permit to mine 1,000 has in Mati has also been doing extensive logging operations in the area.

Sr. Stella Matutina, osb, spokesperson of Panalipdan Davao Oriental said, “Philyoubang’s logging operations are destructive to the environment. Mostly, they cut Magkuno or iron wood, Banile and other premium species like Tangile. They cut century-old wood and completely uproot the whole tree including the stumps. From what was seen in their logdeck, more than 1000 cubic meters already have been cut and harvested by this company.”

The fact finding mission team also observed that Philyoubang’s operations has damaged second growth trees and other species in Sitio Sopsopon, Brgy Macambol which is located between two protected areas — Pujada Bay Protected Seascape and Mt. Hamiguitan Range, a government – declared “wildlife sanctuary” based on Republic Act No. 9303 or the Mt. Hamiguitan Range and Wildlife Sanctuary Act.

PANALIPDAN hence fears that Philyoubangs logging and consequently, mining operations will cause severe damage to these sanctuaries and their resident species.

For instance, Mt. Hamiguitan hosts around four hundred (400) hectares of “pygmy forests”, exotic plants and wild animals. Rattan, timber and non-timber products which are the sources of community livelihood is also abundant here.

Philyoubang claims to hold a Private Land Timber Permit which was awarded to it by the Regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). However, PANALIPDAN SMR insists that this permit should never have been given at all due to the critical location of Brgy Macambol.
Francis Morales of PANALIPDAN Southern Mindanao also lashed at the DENR for allowing and giving the company ‘s permit to mine the area.

“Along with the permit to mine the area, mining companies are also given timber rights. Its part of the whole destructive cycle of large scale mining. They have to shave off the mountains to be mined so this doubles their earnings,” said Morales.

NEWS: Panalipdan hits proposed “win-win solution” in using Tamugan River

Source: Davao Today

December 9, 2009

DAVAO CITY—Environmental rights network, Panalipdan–Southern Mindanao expressed an indignant response to the so called ‘win-win solution’ proposed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) on the water sharing of Hedcor-Aboitiz and Davao City Water District (DCWD) of the Tamugan-Panigan rivers.

“The issue on the utilization of the Tamugan – Panigan rivers and watershed is not about what agency has the right to use it or if it could be shared by the DCWD and Hedcor. The main issue that should be addressed is how these agencies should keep their hands off this watershed that is categorized as critical and is in fact off-limits to any developmental use by virtue of the Davao City Watershed Code,” said Francis Morales, spokesperson – convener of Panalipdan – SMR.

“It is lamentable that the Unesco and DOST forum have given more importance to the corporate interests of companies who are after our watershed rather than upholding the people’s rights to water and the protection of the Tamugan – Panigan watershed from corporate plunder and destruction,” Morales added.

Panalipdan–SMR has long been campaigning for the cancellation of Hedcor’s environmental compliance certificate (ECC) as well as the National Water Regulatory Board’s (NWRB) nod to Hedcors application for water rights permit.

Morales also pointed out that the win-win solution being proposed by Hedcor, DOST and the Unesco may be part of conditioning the public opinion to the eventual DCWD-Hedcor collaboration in sharing of the rivers.

“We urge the City Council to act prudently on this matter which underscores environmental protection and defense of the peoples’ consumer rights in contrast to the systematic plunder of our water resources for corporate gain and profit,” Morales urged.

Citing a statement of University of the Philippines economist Dr. Maria Diokno-Pascual, Panalipdan-SMR debunked the urgent necessity for additional energy supply for Mindanao.

In her study of the Hedcor project, Pascual said the threat of a power crisis has been often used to force the public to accept their power projects. “Often times when you look at the time when the supposed crisis should have hit, the supply of electricity is in abundance because of the wrong projections made.” She also pointed out that Mindanao has the least energy requirement as compared to the Visayas and Luzon.”

“Our network, which is composed of 36 environmental and peoples’ organizations in the region, is similarly alarmed that the DCWD’s proposed surface water development in the watershed may lead to the privatization of the DCWD which is among the few remaining public water utilities in the country,” Morales added.

Morales also said that surface water development projects in Cagayan, Manila, Iloilo and in other provinces have ultimately led to the privatization of water utilities as these kinds of projects require huge budget—a situation that paves the way for corporate take-over.

NEWS: Anti-Mining Activist Gunned Down in ComVal

Source: Pinoy Press

An anti-large scale mining activist was killed by unidentified men yesterday, 23 December 2008, at New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province, environmental activist group Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) today reported.

At around 7:00 in the evening, an unidentified men brutally killed 39-year old environmental activist leader Fernando “Dodong” Sarmiento, Secretary General of Panalipdan-New Bataan, at Purok 1, Barangay Cabinuangan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province, said Panalipdan-SMR spokesperson Francis Morales, citing reports from the field.

“Dodong Sarmiento sustained 5 gun-shot wounds that resulted to his death”, Morales said.

“We condemn in the strongest term the brutal killing of Dodong Sarmiento, who is known for leading the rural folks of New Bataan in calling for the stoppage of the operations of PhilCo Mining Corporation, the planned exploration of other mining corporations and mining-instigated militarization under the command of 10th Infantry Division, citing as reasons for their resistance on the destruction that large-scale mining operations brought on people’s livelihoods and local ecosystems”, Morales stressed.

“The environmental group believes that Sarmiento was killed by military elements due to his advocacies. Last 16 July 2008, Sarmiento was interrogated by the elements of 28th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army (IBPA) under Lt. Wendel Ariola for his active involvement in environmental campaigns and was accused as rebel supporter. Then on 22 July 2008, the military posted on its website falsely claiming that Sarmiento was a rebel surrenderee”, Morales divulged.

“This is a typical mode of operation of the military in implementing the Oplan Bantay Laya 2 in the rural areas of Compostela Valley wherein activist leaders were maligned and demonized first before being killed”, Morales furthered.

The Panalipdan-SMR leader said that Sarmiento is the first environmental activist in Southern Mindanao killed after the Arroyo administration formed the Investment Defense Force (IDF) and when the 10th ID chief Major General Leo Jogy Fojas declared that New Bataan is the rebel’s center operations which is actually meant to wipe-out all types of opposition against mining aggression.

Under the Arroyo regime, 24 environmental activists have been killed which indicate the rise on human rights violations in relation to opposition to mining projects, based on the documentation of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.

The Arroyo administration and the 10th ID should be held accountable the killing of Sarmiento. This is an administration which aggressively promotes plunder of mineral resources and sell-out of our national patrimony to foreign firms at the expense of people’s welfare and fragile ecosystems, Morales said.

NEWS: Probe sought over DENR liability in Compostela landslides

Source: GMA News Online

October 11, 2008

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will look into the apparent lapses of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in enforcing mining laws that allowed a landslide in Maco town that killed at least 30 people last month.

An article on the House of Representatives website
(www.congress.gov.ph) said Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño filed House Resolution 797 seeking the probe.

Ocampo and Casiño lamented that despite the tragedy and clear signs that Maco is a geohazard and landslide-prone area, the DENR did not halt large and small-scale mining operations there.

House Resolution 797 sought an inquiry into the two landslides that hit Barangay Masara, Maco, Compostela Valley last Sept. 7 and 8, which claimed 30 lives and forced the evacuation of more than 5,000 residents.

They cited a report of the environment group Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) that the operations of APEX Mining Company and Crew Gold Corporation have contributed to the area's high-risk geohazard nature.

APEX started its mining operations in the village in the 1980s while international gold mining company Crew Gold Corporation, which has headquarters in Weybridge, United Kingdom, acquired the Masar gold mine in 2005 according to Panalipdan-SMR.

Crew Minerals' drillings have now gone as deep as 32,000 meters while the underground development of the APEX property continues with portals and ramp systems.

Crew Minerals has a target production of 85,000 to 180,000 ounces of gold and 500,000 to 600,000 ounces of silver at the end of 2008, according to Panalipdan-SMR.

The group said the DENR's relentless issuances of mining permits to foreign mining companies shows the government's political incapacity to impose environmental safeguards and assert its regulatory function in the high-risk mining industry that endangers the very lives of the local people in geohazard areas, mining tenements and the environment.

According to Panalipdan-SMR, DENR technical experts declared Masara a high-risk zone and recommended that it be evacuated as early as 2006.

Likewise, it said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) already assessed the area, declared it a high-risk zone and recommended the evacuation of residents from that area.

In 2007, SMR said 10 people died in a rain-triggered landslide, prompting the MGB to reiterate its urgent recommendation that the area be immediately vacated.

"Compostela Valley is also an environmentally-critical province and the nonchalance of the DENR on the continued presence of unregulated small scale mining operations and the reported large scale mining activities in the area will further deplete whatever finite resources are left and permanently damage the biodiversity and livelihood of the local people," the lawmakers said in their resolution. - GMANews.TV

NEWS: Masara landslide alarms environmental group Panalipdan-SMR

Published in MINDANEWS & BULATLAT

Environmentalist group PANALIPDAN!-Southern Mindanao expressed concerns over the consequent landslides that hit Brgy. Masara in Maco Compostela Valley Province which to date has already claimed the lives of 30 individuals (as Associated Press has reported) and displaced nearly 5,000 people.

"We lament the loss of civilian lives over these tragic incidents. We call on the authorities, all environmental and humanitarian advocates to continue to extend aid and services to the victims of this calamity, " said Francis Morales, spokesperson of PANALIPDAN-SMR.

PANALIPDAN! – SMR, a group which advocates the defense of the environment, land rights, food sovereignty and national patrimony among others, demanded that along with the rescue and relief operations, a probe on the mining operations of the APEX Mining Company and its current operator, CREW MINERALS must be initiated.

According to PANALIPDAN – SMR'S researches on the APEX website, APEX which started its mining operations in Masara since the 1890's has been recently acquired by Crew Minerals Corporation, a Canada-based large-scale mining company. Since its acquisition of the Masara gold mine in 2005, Crew Minerals has started the refurbishment of the APEX processing plant and to date, its 500 t/d plant is already operational.

CREW Minerals has continued its drillings now reaching up to 32,000 meters. Underground development of the APEX property continues with portals and ramp systems are being continuously opened as APEX gears to increase its target production of 85,000 to 180,000 oz of gold and 500,000 to 600,000 oz of silver at the end of 2008.

In this light, Morales dismissed the denials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau that the tragedy was caused by mining operations.

"Monsoon rains happen normally in other parts of the country but landslides are more often than not easily triggered in areas where man-made intervention or aggression occurs such as large scale mining operations which involve the use of heavy equipment and environmentally hazardous methods. Sec. Atienza was right when he said we should not blame small scale mining operations. But large scale mining corporations who hide beneath small scale mining claims or MPSA's should not let off the hook too quickly, " Morales said.

Morales issued a warning to the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau as well as with the DENR.

"Civilian lives are at stake due to the relentless issuance of mining permits to foreign mining companies amidst the government's sinful leniency and negligence of environmental safeguards, and dogged obeisance to mining capitalists," said the environmentalist leader.

PANALIPDAN!-SMR recounted the landslides in Kingking Mines as well as in Mt. Diwata due to the mining operations in the areas.

The environmentalist group which has more than twenty-five member organizations in the region reiterated the call to scrap the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

September 9, 2008

Reference:
Francis Morales
Spokesperson
PANALIPDAN!-SMR

NEWS: Diarrhea outbreak hits Compostela Valley

What could have caused such a calamity?

Immediate investigation of the factors leading to this incident must be conducted without delay. afterwhich, the public must be informed in order to avoid the recurrence of such a life-threatening outbreak.

Compostela Valley province is known to be host to a number of developmental projects that pose threats on the health and life of its residents.

We are hoping that this problem will be addressed, not only by providing the sick the medication they need as of the moment, but by curtailing environmental and health hazards wrought by mining, banana plantations, and other disastrous projects.

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Diarrhea outbreak hits Compostela Valley

by Ben O. Tesiorna

DAVAO CITY -- Close to 800 residents of Maragusan town in Compostela Valley suffered from diarrhea believed to have been caused by contaminated water supply. The outbreak forced the local government to declare a state of calamity in the said town. Residents started seeking medical assistance since July 19.

Most of them rushed to hospitals that were soon filled to the brims, thus the town gymnasium had to be used.

Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy, however, said the situation is now under control. He said both the municipal and provincial governments have already mobilized health workers and doctors to the area and have requested the assistance of the Department of Health (DOH) for help in determining the source of the outbreak.

"We have enough medicines," Uy said. As of Friday, Maragusan Mayor Cesar Colina said the number of affected individuals has started declining. Based on the last count, a total of 773 residents were affected by diarrhea.

There are still 206 persons admitted in hospitals while 171 others have already been discharged. About 540 residents, on the other hand, were treated as outpatients. Also, no casualty was reported as of Friday.

Of the total number of patients, 68 percent came from Barangay Poblacion; 10 percent from Mauswagon; Bagong Silang, seven percent; New Katipunan, four percent; and Mapawa, two percent.

The remaining nine percent was unidentified. Dr. Efren Pates of the Maragusan municipal office said they are still investigating the possible sources of the bacteria that caused the diarrhea outbreak. He said they are specifically checking on the water sources of the affected barangays as an outbreak of such extent indicates a common and widely available carrier. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

STATEMENT: Investment Defense Force swarming over mineral-rich areas

May 7, 2008

The heightening militarization in the rural areas of Compostela Valley Province and Davao Oriental, provinces which are major mining, logging and biofuel sites in the country is but part of the Investment Defense Force (IDF) which was formed by the Macapagal-Arroyo government early this year to secure the country's vital investments.

The massive military deployment and operations of composite units of 28th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (IBPA), 72nd IBPA, 67th IBPA, 30th IBPA, Special Forces, and Scout Rangers Batallion are the actual implementation of the IDF to facilitate the entry and/or to protect the interests of foreign large-scale mining and pesticides-dependent monocrop plantation companies.

Many indigenous people, particularly Mansaka and Mandaya, and peasant settlers are displaced by militarization and development aggression. Some of them were hurt physically and tortured mentally in the course of military operations. At the first quarter of this year, around 410 families were forcibly displaced from Baganga and Cateel towns in Davao Oriental. At the start of the second quarter, around 104 Mandaya and Mansaka families have already been victims of forcible displacement/evacuation in New Bataan Compostela Valley.

In Brgy. Mangayon Compostela town, an Ata-Matigsalug Village complains of cases of torture, physical injuries and harassment against 5 residents of which 2 are children. The same community complained of military encampment in civilian houses which is a direct violation of international humanitarian laws.

Appallingly, state-perpetrated human rights violations and atrocities heighten as mining companies of Transnational/Multinational Corporations continue to threaten the communities and fragile surrounding ecosystems - Key Biodiversity Areas - Mt. Kampalili-Puting Bato Range and Mt. Agtuuganon-Pasian Range found in these provinces.Several mining applications, claims and reserves of the TNCs/MNCs in the area are presently threatening destruction of ecosystems.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acted like private armies of plunderers are backing this up to the detriment of Mother Nature and the people. But resistance of the peasants, indigenous peoples, and various sectors will continue. Hence we from PANALIPDAN!-SMR denounce the ongoing militarization and development aggression which has taken a toll on civilian rights and the environment.

We demand the stop of militarization and development aggression in ComVal Province and Davao Oriental, the stop of the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya 2 and Investment Defense Force.

We are calling for the pull-out of the 28th IBPA, 30th IBPA, 72nd IBPA, 67th IBPA, Special Forces, and Scout Rangers Battalion in rural areas. We urge everyone to defend our national patrimony, environment and natural resources from plunder and to join us in seeking for justice for all victims of human rights violations.

Fr. Medardo Salomia
Vice –Chairperson
PANALIPDAN – SMR

(Panalipdan!-Southern Mindanao is a group membering environmental advocates and activists, church people, academe, youth, farmers, Moro and indigenous groups united in the defense of the environment, food security, land rights and national patrimony.)

Published in Mindanews on May 7, 2008