CEBU (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 6, 2014) – The Alyansa Tigil Mina said it is strongly opposing the designation of Nickel Asia Corporation as the lead private sector “development partner” for the town of Guiuan in the the central Philippine province of Samar, one of the areas ravaged by typhoon Haiyan last year.
ATM, a coalition of more than 100 that is challenging the current policy regime on mining in the country, said it would only pave the way to Nickel Asia for possible mining investments in the area in the future.
“This is clearly corporate capture of potential developments in the area. Sadly, it is not shocking at all for our coalition, as it seems the government, through this initiative, is relinquishing its responsibility to rehabilitate disaster-hit areas to the private sector,” ATM said.
Guiuan, along with Tacloban City, Tanauan in Leyte province, and Biliran are among areas included in the rehabilitation program.
ATM said it recognizes that Guiuan, as the first hit area and one of the most devastated towns, should be a priority rehabilitation area, but added that it cannot discount the reason behind the intent of different conglomerates, such as Nickel Asia for instance, to help reconstruct the areas.
“They may have the funds and are able to rebuild immediately, however, they are also very likely to exploit the natural and mineral resources in the area, as in their many mine sites in the country,” ATM said, adding Guiuan is a fishing and farming community and is also rich in mineral resources including bauxite, nickel and titaferous magnetite and that the nearby islands of Manicani, Homonhon and Suluan are also swarmed with mineral operations.
ATM also called on Panfilo Lacson, whe heads the government rehabilitation efforts, to reassess their strategies in spearheading the recovery and rehabilitation in the region and put the people at the center of the reconstruction efforts.
20
