Anti-mining Campaign Pushed in Senate Hearing

Last Thursday, anti-mining advocates presented their case on the ill effects of mining to the Senate committee on agriculture. The group of Save Palawan Movement, UP economics professor, Chamber of Mines in the Philippines, congressman and senators were present to explain their side on the issue of mining in the Philippines.

First issue from the “Save Palawan Movement” insisted that irresponsible mining practices in the country have resulted in the reduction of forest cover, water pollution, and displacement and health problems of farmers, fisher folk and indigenous communities. As a result, this group launched a “No to Mining in Palawan” signature campaign to end the mining activities in Palawan.

Another issue presented in the hearing is from Prof. Arsenio Balisacan, he said that there is an increase in poverty incidence in the mining sector from 27.84% in 1988 to 48.71% in 2009 using data from a study made by the professor.

Meanwhile, former Marinduques Rep. Edmund Reyes reminded senators about the environmental and social costs of mining, like what happened in the Marcopper mine disaster. The incident made global news in 1996 when massive amounts of mine waste were released to the Boac River, leaving it virtually dead.

However, Chamber of Mine in the Philippines defended their industry in the Senate committee hearing through Atty. Ronald Residoro. He said that mining companies have helped assure sustainable growth in rural communities and provided a basic platform to improve their way of life.  He also advise the government that they should fight illegal mining activities and not the industry altogether.

But for Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, he said that it is not good to look at mining as a source of income and employment in the Philippines. There is a clear understanding for all of us that there have been terrible experiences around the country when it comes to mining.

   As for me, there are different advantages and disadvantages of mining in the Philippines. If we weight all of them, disadvantages go first. For that, we can’t take risk the lives of many people just to say that mining can give economic growth to the country. The government must really work hard in implementing rules and regulations about mining. I may suggest that they must think the majority of the people than the few ones.

Reference:(http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/12/08/11/anti-mining-campaign-pushed-senate-hearing)

Posted by: Nonalyn Pangantihon

Responsible Mining Is NOT Possible in the Philippines

From ABSCBNNews.com 

Responsible Mining Is NOT Possible in the Philippines

by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBaN News 

-->Mining can really be harmful to our nature; people cannot avoid damaging the nature while mining. Believing it or not, it slowly damages our nature. Mining can be stopped, if the government here in the Philippines wants to stop it, but we may not know that there are lots of government officials that deal with the under the table when it comes to this kind of destructive activity, especially nowadays, people are struggling with money problems. We cannot stop these people/companies from mining when the government did not take any serious action or initiate some laws regarding mining. Only the government has the authority to take the initiative to start to say no to mining. 

Reference:http://no2mininginpalawan.com/2011/12/08/responsible-mining-is-not-possible-in-the-philippines/ 

Posted by: Chen, Berry Jeanne Lam

Any idea what responsible mining is all about?

Mining in the Philippines is one of the issues which are always talked about. And yes, at some point in time it has been ubiquitous. In fact, there are numerous forums, advertisements, campaigns and promotions seen on televisions, heard on the news and read in the newspapers and web pages. But above all these things, are we really aware what responsible mining is all about?

Responsible mining means respecting the environment by meeting and exceeding the national norms. Moreover, it is seeking innovative ideas just to be able to protect the environment. Responsible mining supports the life and the condition of our Mother Earth, not just the present situation but as well as what it will become in the future. In addition to those fore mentioned, aside from the fact that it protects the environment, it also develop communities in a sustainable manner. You may be asking, in what ways? Basically, if we are able to preserve our natural resources in the most brilliant way that we can, our future is not at stake. We won't be dealing with so much environmental issues saying we should have done this and not that. As early as now, we're being reminded. Another thing about responsible mining is that it promotes openness and transparency. The main concern is the environment and people. Being concern with the environment is also being concern with the indigenous people and all the communities. And that is what also responsible mining promotes. Lastly, responsible mining supports good governance. It is not a selfish thing. It is for the well being of everything, of everyone, of every Filipino.

Posted by: Ann Lorraine C. Mendoza

Credits to Jeffrey Geronimo, BS Mining Engineering student from University of the Philippines. Some information are from his account (http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/responsible-mining)

Other reference: http://barrickbeyondborders.com/2008/12/how-would-you-define-responsible-mining/

Mining in the Philippines

In Asia, the Philippines is considered to be country dependent on its natural resources. This is because the country has enough land forms to supply it. The country is rich in mountains, forests and fertile soil to use for agriculture. Nonetheless, not many know that it also has sources of certain minerals. Due to statistical reports and studies, the Philippines rank among the world’s top five countries with the greatest amounts of copper, nickel and iron ore. During the era of colonialism, the country was greatly exploited and profited from by foreigners without the consent of the Filipino people. However at present, there are certain laws and policies regarding the use of these natural resources for both local and foreign mining industries.

If one looks at the geographical setting of the Philippines, it is an archipelago which consists of many land forms, mainly mountains rich with certain metals. Most of the time, the common areas where mining occurs are those found in the mountainous regions where urbanization rarely happens. The Philippines uses this as a source of income by exporting unprocessed minerals to other countries. Due to this fact, many mining companies from outside the country have taken interest in the land properties of the country and take the time to make investments and mergers with the government or some local mining firms. By directly obtaining these, they save money and gain more profit. Success from the mining industry has actually given a number of jobs in the Philippines Heavy machinery operators and mining engineers have become in demand because they have the sufficient knowledge to go about mining operations.

The task to protect natural resources and to implement laws and policies for mining firms ”local or foreign” rests in the hands of the government of the Philippines. Specifically, it has assigned one of its branches, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to overlook mining activities throughout the country. Other than this, experts and engineers in this field have also set up their own group which looks out for the betterment of the industry. This group is called Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PMEA). In addition, because of the privatization of mining business, specialized associations have popped out. These, created as early as 1988, focus on representing the interests of foreign mining industries which invest much in type of trade. One of them is the Philippine Mineral Exploration Association (PMEA).

Although laws have been created for the wellbeing of the mining business, it cannot be helped that there are instances when problems are met. In order to strengthen the state’s economy, the government opens its doors to investors, where they sign agreements, even laws, allowing these companies to employ the natural resources of the Philippines. Unfortunately, poor and improper management has resulted in various problems such as environmental and social issues. Damage is done to nature because of illegal practices such as the use of poisonous chemicals or explosives. The main effect of this is the deforestation and destruction of mountains, which may later on lead to flash floods and erosions.

Some of the Filipino people’s rights have also been affected by law governing mining by local and foreign firms. Unfortunately, the effects are not always beneficial. Huge companies push through with their operations without the consent of residents around the nearby area. The struggle for their rights to property has been raised to the government. However, resolutions brought about by the administrative body have proven to be insufficient. Today, even as the mining business is serving the interests of the economy, it is slowly torturing the Filipino masses, especially those who reside in the mountainous regions.

~ The article discussed the good and bad thing about mining here in the Philippines. I personally think that even if the government implemented laws about mining we still can't change the fact that the mining industry are destroying the environment. On the other hand, it helps many people in their living. As mentioned in the article, the Philippines is at the top 5 of having ample supply of nickel and iron ore which is very important in making important products. In my opinion, people should not abuse the gift of nature because I believe in the power of "karma" and I think in time the nature will take everything all that we have taken from it so let's be responsible and take care of our nature.

Reference: http://www.mines-denr.ph/mining-in-the-philippines.html

Posted by: Maria Monica Semana

No to Mining in Palawan!

Although laws have been created to protect our natural resources, damage is still done to nature because of illegal practices such as the use of poisonous chemicals or explosives. The main effect of this is the deforestation and destruction of mountains, which may later on lead to flash floods and erosions. Mining is important indeed. However, citizens in Palawan prefer to stop mining in their place and launched their own movement to protect the Philippines' Last Ecological Frontier.

The Save Palawan Movement, a multi-sectoral coalition of concerned environmental, legal religious and other civic groups launched the “No to Mining in Palawan” signature campaign on February 3rd, 2011 in the hope of putting an end to mining activities in Palawan. The campaign aims to raise 10 MILLION signatures to deliver a strong message to the Philippine and Palawan governments so that they would finally say no to mining in Palawan and help protect one of the Philippines’ last remaining treasures.

As of now, there are 4,268,336 people (nearly half of their target) who signed to support the “No to Mining in Palawan” campaign. If you are interested in helping this campaign, you may submit your votes online by signing up here:

http://no2mininginpalawan.com/

or you may also sign via text message by typing:

no2mining<space>name/age/location

and send to 2366 (Note: P2.50 per text)

We can make a difference. Let us encourage our family, friends and other relatives to sign up for Palawan and spread the word as well. We can also use our Facebook accounts to share and encourage other people to help. EVERY VOTE COUNTS! Let us help Mother Earth by saving Palawan!  

Reference: http://no2mininginpalawan.com/

Posted by: Innah Marie Luna