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Friday, March 9, 2018

Green groups storm DENR, demand for new mining regime


Quezon City (March 9, 2018) – Environmental and civil groups stormed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a protest rally that challenged the 23rd year of RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and condemned the ignorant actions of DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu against large scale mining-affected communities, Friday, March 9, 2018.

Activists called the current mining regime under Philippine Mining Act of 1995 “plunder”. The law opened the mining industry to foreign investments which led to abuse of the country’s natural resources, and operations that destroyed the environment without holding these foreign companies and owners accountable.

According to the group, they demand for the passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB) which aims to let Philippine government manage its minerals and secure that mining operations fall within required environmental and human standards.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) National Coordinator, Jaybee Garganera said, “March 10, 2018 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Mining Act of 1995. 23 years of destruction. 23 years of injustices, disasters, and human rights violations. It’s time to scrap RA 7942 and pass AMMB! We need a law that is pro-Filipino. And to DENR: We will be vigilant. We had enough of your ignorance on the suffering of these communities.”

Last February 5, 2018, Kampuhang Bayan ng Zambales was demolished by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) under the request of Sec. Cimatu. After more than a month of peaceful protest in front of DENR, no action was delivered to the people of Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Rather, their rights to freedom of expression were violated.

“Cimatu, you are fake news! You are concerned of the dirt in Boracay, while these communities from mining areas breathe, eat, and drink poison three times a day,” Garganera added.

On the issue of mining in Masbate, Malou Verano of Ang Aroroy Ay Alagaan (AAAA) said, “We have more than a thousand cases of tuberculosis per barangay. Our local government is pro-mining. We don’t have fish to catch, and farms to plant. Anti-mining activists are harassed by neighbors who are for mining. We don’t need mining! We need safe sources of food and water, and clean air.”

Activists raised placards while chanting their calls “Mapanirang pagmimina, ipasara! Ipasara!” (Destructive mining! Close them now!) “Cimatu, fake news ka!” (Cimatu, you are fake news!) “Itigil ang mapanirang pagmimina, hindi Cha-Cha” (Stop destructive mining, no to charter change)

In culmination of the week-long activities that aimed to challenge the current mining regime, ATM led the protest action. Leaders of Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales (CCOS), Ang Aroroy Ay Alagaan (AAAA), and Unified Civilian Society Incorporated (UCSI) of Masbate, were joined by national groups AKBAYAN, Piglas Pilipinas, SENTRO, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa (KALIPUNAN), Oriang, and Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA).

The group marched to DENR at 9:30 AM. Representatives from supporting organizations spoke of the grave effects of large-scale mining in farming, fishing, health and human rights in a program in front of the agency’s Central Office, 10 AM.

One of the calls raised in the rally was the groups’ stand “Not this charter change, not this Federalism.” Their main concern was that green bills, including AMMB, which are under deliberation in Congress, may be put aside once charter change is pushed through. (press release)


For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator – 0917 549 8218; nc@alyansatigilmina.net
Caryl Pillora, ATM Policy Research & Advocacy Officer – 0926 007 8294; icaryl.pillora@gmail.com
Camilo Manio, ATM Sites of Struggle Officer – 0943 495 9326; atmsosmimaropa@alyansatigilmina.net

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