November 23, 2009

Green groups expresssed solidarity with protesters vs. large scale mining in Mindoro island

Environmental groups have expressed solidarity to the ongoing struggle of the Mangyans and Mindorenos for the stoppage of Intex Mining and protection of environment in Mindoro Island.

"Fighting against forces and their accomplices who want to plunder the environment, natural resources and heritage of one's homeland is a noble, just and legitimate cause. The demonstrators, advocates and their supporters can be assured that other communities that are facing similar problems are one with their struggle," said Clemente Bautista Jr., national coordinator of Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment.

Residents of Mindoro Oriental have launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City to protest the mining project in the province.  The protesters are pushing for the cancellation of the  environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued to he nickel project that will be operated by Intex Resources, a leading mining firm in Norway.

" It is not surprising why the President Arroyo and DENR Sec. Atienza who are primarily tasked to protect our environment and manage our natural resources issued environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and allowed Intex to continue with a large-scale mining operation in the island in spite of the widespread and vocal opposition from the baranggay level up to the provincial governments," remarked Mr. Bautista.

Bautista furthered that, "The DENR issued the ECC even though there is an existing moratorium on large-scale mining in the provinces and previous DENER decision to cancel the said mining project. This is a clear violation of the government's mandate but is to be expected with the Arroyo administration' stubbornness in pushing for mining liberalization and its subservience to foreign transnational mining corporations."

Mindoro is known for pristine environment and rich natural resources. Located in the island are several biodiversity-rich, environmentally critical, and conservation priority areas like the Lubang Island, Mt. Calavite, Puerto Galera, Mt. Halcon, Naujan Lake, Sablayan island, Iglit and Baco Mountains, Malpalon, Bogbog, Bongabong, Mt. Hitding, and Mt. Hinunduan.

Given its richness and significance to conservation, some of these areas were declared protected areas like the Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Apo Reef National Park, and Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park.

Mindoro is also known to be the rice granary of Southern Luzon. Mindoro account for more than forty percent of rice produced in Southern Tagalog region.  It also has one of the best eco-tourist spots in the country such as the Puerto Gallera and Apo Reef.

Intex mining concession covers 11,217 hectares which covers several municipalities in Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental.  Hundreds of millions of tons of mine waste are projected to be produced in the multi-billion dollar mining project which will affect the water and marine resources in the island.

"Not only will mining destroy the rich biodiversity in the area but will also greatly impact the agriculture, fishery and tourism industry in the island. Later this will lead to more pollution, tragedies and poverty in Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental as what happened to other areas that were destroyed by large scale foreign mining,"explained Bautista.

According to the statement of Kalikasan PNE, the 90-day suspension of Intex's ECC  made by DENR Sec. Atienza is a  ploy to pacify the opposition and is an old trick by an old dog. In the past, the DENR Sec. Atienza have ordered  'investigations' or suspended environmental permits on controversial environmental projects just to deflect the public attention and deceive the opposition, only to allow the mining to continue after some time.

"We are in full support to these people are risking their lives to wake up the government on how dangerous and foolish their decision is  to allow the mining operation in the island of Mindoro. We are hopeful that they will win their struggle and inspire other mining affected communities in their struggles," Bautista expressed.