MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / July 13, 2014) – Environmentalists renewed their calls for President Benigno Aquino to repeal the Mining Act of 1995 and certify as urgent the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.
Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, said large scale mining gravely damages the environment and disrupts peoples’ lives.
He said there are also continuing accounts of human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by mining companies. “Worst, there are violations by some government officials and personnel who prioritize profit and income over peoples’ rights and welfare. What we still have today is a law that tolerates all these in favor of corporate greed,” he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by SOS-Yamang Bayan (SOS-YB) Network.
Judy A. Pasimio, head of Lilak (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights), member of SOS-YB Executive Council, also reiterated that “while the government works hard to protect the interests of the investors, there should be more protection for the rights and interests of its constituencies”.
“The country needs a just and equitable mining policy which covers not only the economic benefits but also the participation and opportunities for development, especially for the affected communities,” she said.
Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez said Aquino needs to certify as urgent the AMMB. “It is a legislative action that is our best alternative to the current mining policy that promotes large-scale mining and exploitation of the country’s mineral resources and communities.”
“If we really want the future generations to benefit and experience our rich environment, we should help alter the global condition of our environment today and AMMB is a vital solution,” Gutierrez said.
According to SOS-YB, it has been more than two years since they called for the Aquino administration to certify the Green Bills, including AMMB as urgent, because it will significantly contribute to the rehabilitation of the country’s depleted ecosystem. Their call however, has so far been ignored.
The members of the group also said that with all the violations caused by mining operations, they will remain steadfast in their appeal to the government to prevent further catastrophic impacts to the indigenous communities and the rural poor who directly benefit from the remaining natural resources.
Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to push for the enactment of the AMMB in Congress.
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