- UK firm to invest P500M in Surigao Norte copper gold mine
- Lafayette Phils to resume Rapu-Rapu mining this month
- Vizcaya gov, others charged for stopping mining firm operations
- Manila's Berong nickel mine 2008 output seen flat to higher
- Philippines Boosts Mindanao Troops After Mine Attack
- Coal exports to rise on demand from China and India - Semirara
- Technical studies for Tampakan copper, gold project out in November
Monday, August 11, 2008
2008 Updates on the Mining Projects of the Arroyo Administration
Friday, August 1, 2008
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.
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)
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.
Diarrhea outbreak hits Compostela Valley
by Ben O. TesiornaDAVAO 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)
NEWS: Stronger environmental defense thru unity urged
Stronger environmental defense thru unity urged
by Grace Plata
SUNSTAR DAVAO
ENVIRONMENTAL groups, students, educators, indigenous leaders, and farmers gathered Friday to discuss environmental issues in Southern Mindanao with calls for stronger environmental defense through unified actions.
The gathering, dubbed as the "Southern Mindanao Conference on the Environment and Development Aggression," was organized by Panalipan-Southern Mindanao Region as conclusion to the weeklong commemoration of Earth Day. "This conference is part of our effort to heighten the fight against the worsening case of development aggression and plunder in the region and the whole country. We must actively address the encroachment of pseudo-development projects, which are the main culprits behind the country's pitiful environmental situation. We can only be successful if we unit and work for a stronger environmental advocacy," Fr. Medardo Salomia,
Panalipdan-SMR vice chair, said. Salomia added that the now highly controversial rice crisis is a problem that has long existed. "It is a mere offshoot of globalization policies mindlessly and heartlessly implemented to the detriment of the Filipino people," Salomia said. Along with the issue on rice crisis, the conference also tackled energy exploration, large-scale mining, and logging with the goal of soliciting suggestions to further strengthen the advocacy campaign on environmental protection including that of lobbying for change in policies that have facilitated continuous damage to the environment. (GLP)
by Grace Plata
SUNSTAR DAVAO
ENVIRONMENTAL groups, students, educators, indigenous leaders, and farmers gathered Friday to discuss environmental issues in Southern Mindanao with calls for stronger environmental defense through unified actions.
The gathering, dubbed as the "Southern Mindanao Conference on the Environment and Development Aggression," was organized by Panalipan-Southern Mindanao Region as conclusion to the weeklong commemoration of Earth Day. "This conference is part of our effort to heighten the fight against the worsening case of development aggression and plunder in the region and the whole country. We must actively address the encroachment of pseudo-development projects, which are the main culprits behind the country's pitiful environmental situation. We can only be successful if we unit and work for a stronger environmental advocacy," Fr. Medardo Salomia,
Panalipdan-SMR vice chair, said. Salomia added that the now highly controversial rice crisis is a problem that has long existed. "It is a mere offshoot of globalization policies mindlessly and heartlessly implemented to the detriment of the Filipino people," Salomia said. Along with the issue on rice crisis, the conference also tackled energy exploration, large-scale mining, and logging with the goal of soliciting suggestions to further strengthen the advocacy campaign on environmental protection including that of lobbying for change in policies that have facilitated continuous damage to the environment. (GLP)
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
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
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