15 March 2010

In time for the International Day of Action for Rivers

ENVIRONMENTAL, LUMAD GROUPS HOLD RIVER CLEAN UP, WARN VS DESTRUCTION OF MINDANAO'S RIVERS FOR HYDROPOWER DAMS

Davao City --- A river clean - up to symbolize unity in waging actions for the rehabilitation and protection of rivers from dams, mining and other forms of corporate pseudo - development projects was held along the Davao River as part of the commemoration of the 13th International Day of Action for Rivers celebrated annually every March 14.

Organized by the environmental rights group PANALIPDAN- Southern Mindanao, the river clean up was also led by the KATRIBU partylist, together with local barangay officials, LRC- KsK, Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation (MISFI), Children Rehabilitation Center (CRC), KABIBA , students from Assumption College of Davao and other concerned groups.

"We are glad that the Philippines has taken part in the worldwide action for the protection of our rivers but while this should be a source of motivation for the youth, this on the other hand should be a proof of shame for those in government and multinational corporations who are facilitating the massive destruction of our rivers and large-scale plunder of our water resources," said Francis Morales, spokesperson and convenor of PANALIPDAN - Southern Mindanao.

13 March 2010

‘Arroyo government's flawed energy and water polices in real state of calamity'- Green groups

A day before the International Day of Action Against Dams: For Rivers, Water, and Life, environmental and indigenous peoples disclose the real national situation and cause of the country's water and energy crisis. The group points to the flawed policies of the current ineffective Arroyo government regime as the real and deeper calamity.

"Much of our water resources such as rivers, springs, waterfalls and underground water are being controlled and used by big foreign and private corporations through their water permits. The government acts as a facilitator for the biased distribution and control of our water resources in favor of big business enterprises over public service such as irrigating farmlands and supplying the water needs of communities," said Mr. Clemente Bautista Jr., national coordinator of environmental group Kalikasan People's Network for the Environemnt (Kaliksan PNE).

Kalikasan PNE, with sectoral and progressive organizations under the Water for the People Network (WPN), identified privatization and the unequal distribution of water resources in the Philippines as the causes of the water shortage the country is experiencing. This trend can be seen in the in the provinces hit by long dry spell and water scarcity.

4 March 2010

Environmentalists welcome SMC Laiban Dam project cancellation, challenge presidential bets to totally abandon the project

Multisectoral alliance Network Opposed to Laiban Dam (NO to Laiban Dam) and environmental group Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment welcomed the decision of Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) to terminate its joint venture with Danding Cojuangco-owned San Miguel Corporation over the Laiban Dam Project.

"This is a tactical victory for the indigenous peoples, local communities and the groups who campaigned against the project. The termination will offer a temporary respite from the threats and damages that the controversial large dam pose," said Clemente Bautista of Kalikasan PNE and convenor of NO to Laiban Dam.

The group maintained that it is but correct for the MWSS not to pursue the project as it is environmentally dangerous and socially unaccepted by the indigenous people and local governments in Rizal and Quezon provinces.

3 March 2010

Green groups protest outside DENR, blame privatization of natural resources as real cause of water and energy crises

Indigenous peoples, scientists and environmental activists demand the cancellation of water permits of large-scale mining corporations and foreign energy operators in the country in a protest action in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The action was timed during the 15th anniversary of the passing of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the increasing tensions and impacts of the El Nino, environmental destruction, water and energy crises currently besetting the nation.