Apr.
22, 2018
Media Statement
Caryl Mae T. Pillora
Media Statement
Alyansa
Tigil Mina
Quezon
City - Alyansa Tigil Mina remains critical on the behavior and practice of the
Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as we celebrate Earth Day
2018. While the alliance recognizes the
joint efforts of DENR, DILG, and the DoT to close Boracay for rehabilitation,
the same diligence and commitment are lacking in addressing the mining issues
in the country.
DENR
Sec. Cimatu has failed to implement the closure and suspension orders against
26 mining operations that have violated environmental laws or failed to comply
with their own obligations stipulated in their mining contracts. This comes in
the backdrop of delayed internal audits of the DENR and the review of the
Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) to resolve both the technicalities
and substance of these closure orders issued by former DENR Sec. Gina Lopez.
In Sta.
Cruz, Zambales, the demand for compensation of lost livelihoods and
rehabilitation of farms and fisheries areas damaged by nickel mining operations
remain in limbo. The DENR-MGB has
refused to disclose public documents such as monitoring reports, copies of
environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) and ore transport permits (OTPs)
to mining-affected communities represented by the Concerned Citizens of Sta.
Cruz (CCOS). DENR officials promised the release of these documents, after more
than 60 days of a protest-camp staged at the DENR central office by CCOS.
In
Brooke’s Pt., Palawan, Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) has not been held
accountable after illegally cutting more than 14,000 trees last May 2017.
Hundreds of these cut trees were centuries old. It took Mayor Jean Feliciano to
demolish illegal structures such as fences and bunk houses in the mine area to
stop the illegal activities of INC.
In
Aroroy, Masbate, Filiminera Mining Corp. has forcibly evicted at least 30
families from their homes and farms.
Filiminera is in a suspiciously unique position, when after undergoing
the Mine Audit last 2016, its status was “not passed nor failed”, despite the
numerous findings against it. A special
follow-up investigation for its operation was conducted, but the results were
never released by DENR.
In
Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, farmers, environmental groups and the Catholic
church had a horrible Friday the 13th this April 2018, when they secured
documents stating that the mining contract (MPSA) of Marcventures Minerals
Development Corp. (MMDC) was allegedly extended for another 9 years or until
2027. MMDC’s mining contract was set to expire this year. This happened despite the absence of any
consultation with local communities. The
indigenous peoples have also complained at the NCIP that their free, prior and
informed consent was not secured by MMDC for this renewal of the mining
contract.
President
Duterte reiterated his disgust with large-scale mining operations who fail to
rehabilitate or reforest the mined-out areas.
Sec. Cimatu should heed the President’s warning to mining companies and
follow the Chief Executives clear instructions.
These
include the moratorium on new mining applications and new mining contracts; a
ban on open-pit mining and the mandatory participation of all mining companies
in the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiatives or EITI.
Sec.
Cimatu should also start engaging the affected communities and environmental
organizations. It leaves a bitter taste
in the mouth that since he started his stint as DENR, Sec. Cimatu has met the
Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) no less than three times. He has consistently refused to meet
communities and green groups.
Alyansa
Tigil Mina holds DENR Sec. Cimatu accountable for the continued destruction of
our environment for his failure to implement the closure and suspension orders
against large-scale mining operations that violate our environmental laws.
Cleaning
Boracay and regulating the use of plastics are noble initiatives to protect
Mother Earth. However, when national
government fails to implement its own orders that intend to protect watersheds,
protected areas, and small-islands from destructive mining, the worst kind of
hypocrisy is at play.
For additional details, please contact:
Caryl Mae T. Pillora
Policy
Research and Advocacy Officer
Alyansa
Tigil Mina (ATM)
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