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Surigao del Sur Town Fights Big Bucks Mining Company!
Cantilan, Surigao del
Sur, November 17, 2009 - About 2,000 thousand Cantilangnons
converged at the triangle in the highway crossing in Brgy.
Pag-antayan Monday morning, November 16, 2009 to install a
checkpoint aimed at preventing (Marcventures Mining & Development
Corporation) from transporting its ore to its illegally constructed
stockyard in Brgy. Consuelo. It will be manned round the clock by
the local police and volunteers.
The stockyard which is on the shoreline violates local ordinance No.
18-2008 prohibiting the construction of stockyards for the purpose
of storing mineral ore within 500 meters of the shoreline and was
constructed without a permit from the municipality.
Before the rally, at 8:30 a.m, Mayor Guardo and LGU officials and
staff held a flag ceremony at the town kiosk. Thereafter, the mayor
led a one kilometer march to the triangle passing through the MMDC
offices. She was joined by around 500 placard bearing fisher folks,
farmers, religious groups, teachers and students from Saint
Michael’s College.
Waiting at the triangle were more farmers and students from Surigao
del Sur Polytechnic College and Cantilan National High School. A
mass was held by Fr. Pete Ubalde. He was assisted by priests from
Carrascal - Fr. Paeng Batoliño; Madrid - Fr. Bebot Pastera; Parang -
Fr. Ritchelle Espinola; and visiting priest, Fr. Tito Maratas who
grew up in Brgy. Palasao, a rice-growing community.
Fr. Pete in his homily appealed to the parishioners to be honest,
sincere and open about their "anti-mining" stand. He also challenged
the LGU to sustain the activity.
A program followed where the mayor exhorted everyone to join the
cause, as it was the cause of the municipality. Vicente Iriberri,
Vice President, Baywatch talked on the violations and inactions of
the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) and
challenged all those who wanted to join the 2010 elections to unite
and not get into the trap of the mining companies to 'divide and
rule' by pushing for two anti-mining groups to run for local
elections.
He also emphasized that the 2010 elections is neither about
personalities, nor partisan politics but about Cantilan, the
watershed, and life. Datu James Bat-ao spoke on the violation of IP
rights, while Amping Ortega, President, Surigao del Surigao
Irrigators Federation (SURIF) spoke about the opposition of the NIA
and the Irrigators’ Association.
Gen. William K. Hotchkiss III (Ret.), President, Cantilan Bank,
described the activity as "People Power in Action" He also shared
about the role of a Cantilangnon during the EDSA revolution.
He challenged everyone, if willing, to die for the cause as he is
not only committed to support the cause in his personal capacity but
the resources of the bank as well if only to stop mining in Cantilan.
Hon. Junjun Sunga for his part, declared that "Cantilan is worth
dying for" borrowing the words of Ninoy Aquino.
The activity is the first of a series of activities planned by the
Multi-Sectoral Environmental Protection Task Force led by Mayor
Tomasa Guardo to fight the mining company. Earlier in the week,
Baywatch launched its Information & Education Campaign and aptly
titled its slogan, "Bangon KanTilang, Mina Hunongon, Agus sa Tubig
Padajunon."
Although MMDC was issued a "Notice to Proceed" with its
developmental activities by the Mines Geosciences Bureau Director
Horacio C. Ramos, it does not have the necessary permits from the
Local Government Units nor does it have endorsements from the LGUs,
necessary requirements in the Philippine Mining Act. It also
violated pertinent provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991,
particularly Sections 26, Duty of National Government Agencies in
the Maintenance of Ecological Balance and Section 27, Prior
Consultations Required.
Cantilan, Carrascal and Madrid LGUs issued resolutions opposing the
MPSA of MMDC because it is located in the watersheds of the rivers
that supply the three towns' irrigation systems and domestic water
supply.
The Sanggunian Panlalawigan refused to endorse their MPSA for the
same reasons.
The Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) granted MMDC mandates
the mining company to delineate and exclude from its mining
operation all areas within its MPSA that area declared as Watershed
Forest Reserve.
On March 23, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo issued
Proclamation 1747 declaring that area where the mining site of MMDC
is situated as Critical Watershed Forest Reserve.
MMDC is the respondent to the administrative case filed by the
Irrigators’ Association, Baywatch, and Lovers of Nature Foundation
with the DENR for violations of the Philippine Mining Act
For Details, Contact:
Emma Y. Hotchkiss
Email: emmayh@yahoo. com
Vicente A. Iriberri
tinty57@yahoo. com |
