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First Posted on Inside Mindanao (www.insidemindanao.com) on May 14, 2009
Civil society challenges government promotion of mining
with filing of new mining bill
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Representatives from mining affected communities, the academe, civil society groups, the religious sector, and the city hall called for the passage of the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB) that was newly filed in Congress.
In a mini-motorcade that went through downtown city streets last May 13, community representatives from areas affected by mining gathered support from the different sectors at Xavier University, Balaod Mindanaw office, the Cagayan de Oro Cathedral and City Hall. Among those who joined the motorcade were residents of Zone 1, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City whose houses were flooded over during the rains last January this year.
"The residents of Cagayan de Oro and neighboring towns in Misamis Oriental were literally doused with water and wakened to the destructive effects of mining and other resource extractive activities in the uplands. This shows the scope and extent of the effects brought about by the present Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942). That is why we are one with the call for the new Alternative Mining Bill." said Haney Bazaar, Zone 1 resident and law student at Xavier University.
Carl Cesar Rebuta of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC–KsK) said, "We lauded the immediate order by (Cagayan de Oro City) Mayor Jaraula for a halt to mining operations in the city after the floods, and we support filing in Congress by Congressman Rufus Rodriguez a bill banning mining in Cagayan de Oro City—but the whole country also needs a rational mineral policy that does not put profits ahead of people and the environment. We have to dismantle corporate control over our natural resources and that is what the Alternative Mining Bill aims to do."
Cagayan de Oro second district Representative Rufus Rodriguez and Bukidnon Representative Teofisto Guingona III had already earlier expressed support for the AMB which was filed in Congress by Rep. Lorenzo "Erin" R. Tañada III (Liberal Party, 4th District, Quezon) and AKBAYAN representative Riza Hontiveros.
The Cagayan de Oro residents were also joined by community representatives from Alubijid, Misamis Oriental; Malitbog, Impasug–ong and Lantapan towns in Bukidnon.
Meanwhile, indigenous peoples representatives, environmentalists and church leaders brought their struggle against government's pro–mining policies to the legislative arena last May 13 as they file a proposal for a new mining law to replace the Mining Law of 1995 (R.A.7942).
"We must put an end to the continued plunder of our country's wealth under R.A. 7942 and the Arroyo government's aggressive promotion of mining. We are here today to show our all–out support for the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB)," Rovik Obanil of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources (LRC) said.
Obanil revealed that the proposed legislation was the result of extensive consultations among mining–affected communities as well as with experts on economics, governance, social sciences and geosciences.
"The Mining Law of 1995 was practically written by the mining industry. During legislative deliberations prior to its passage, the legitimate concerns of the people with respect to environmental protection, human rights, ancestral domain and food security were brushed aside. It is no surprise therefore that in 14 years of implementation of this law, we have seen a pattern of abuse from Luzon all the way to Mindanao," Obanil argued.
"Minerals are a strategic resource which should be utilized in a judicious manner. If we are going to allow the mining of our mineral wealth, it should be done as part of a clear national development strategy which promotes the creation of downstream industries to maximize benefits for our people," Obanil said.
The current Mining Law according to LRC, merely promotes extraction of minerals for export which means very few jobs are created and very little income is generated beyond the taxes mining companies pay.
"The time has come to say, 'Enough!' to government's pro–mining policies that result in human rights violations and only endanger our food security. After two decades of the Mining Law, it is clear that it does not serve the interests of the country and results in continued marginalization of poor communities and indigenous peoples like us," Peter Duyapat, leader of the Didipio Earthsavers Movement (DESAMA) of Nueva Vizcaya.
"We want to democratize decision–making with regard to the entry of mining in our areas. If any mining is to be done at all, it is people like us who will be affected who should make the decisions, not Malacañang," Timuay Lucenio Manda, of the Piksalabukan Gukom de Bayog (PGB) of Zambaonga del Sur said.
Supporters of the AMB staged a motorcade from the Quezon City Memorial Circle to the Sandiganbayan. They then marched to the House of Representatives to join the bills authors, representatives Risa Hontiveros, Lorenzo Taņada III, Walden Bello, Carlos Padilla, and Rufus Rodriguez.
Press Release
Legal Rights Natural Resources Center
May 13, 2009
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