MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / June 20, 2013) – Filipino environmental advocates have urged the government to look into the plight of communities affected by mining activities in the Philippines.
Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of the group called Alyansa Tigil Mina, and a convener of the “Tao Muna, Hindi Mina! Anti-mining campaign, said they put large-scale mining activities as a major issue that the government should respond to.
He said the campaign reiterates the cry of mining-affected communities for the Aquino government to prioritize people and environment over mining.
“We would like to emphasize the need to revisit the current mining regime, present how mining activities have impacted host communities, and let the public judge if the failed promises of development are worth the social and environmental injustices caused by this destructive industry,” Garganera said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
Also on Thursday, anti-mining activities and cyclists held a bike tour from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Office to the Supreme Court in Manila to highlight the negative social and environmental impacts of mining and call to repeal the Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act 7942.
This is in relation to the Supreme Court Oral Arguments on a petition questioning the constitutionality of Sections 80 and 81 of RA 7942 and DENR Adm. Order 2007-12 that establishes the supposed income derived from Mineral Production Sharing Agreements and Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements.
Rep. Barry Gutierrez has vowed to file the proposed Alternative Minerals Management Bill which is also being pushed by SOS-Yamang Bayan Network.
The lawmaker urged the Supreme Court to rule against the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995. The bill would serve to offset the negative impacts of mining on the environment, strengthen stakeholder participation in mining contracts and ensure that local communities and the government have a greater share of mining profits.
“The Supreme Court should listen to the millions of voices that are opposed to the current system of mining in the country. The current mining law has only favored the large mining companies at the expense of indigenous peoples, local governments and communities, and the environment,” Gutierrez said.
“We’re hopeful that we can pass an alternative mining bill in the incoming 16th Congress and correct the years of disastrous mining policies that came as a result of the current. Mining Act.”
SOS-Yamang Bayan Network Coordinator Erwin Quiñones also said that the petitions for prohibition and mandamus were filed in March 2008 to defend the lives, dignity, livelihood, land, and environment and rights of mining-affected communities and indigenous peoples.
“We believe that we should not allow this policy to legalize the attack against our land and people. Despite our call to the Supreme Court to immediately resolve the constitutionality of Sections 80 and 81 of the Mining Law, we also question the constitutionality of the law as a whole,” he said.
The groups are united in their call to repeal the current mining law and enactment of a pro-people, pro-environment alternative minerals management bill that will be filed as the Congress opens in July 1.
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