Press Release

18 July 2008

KALIKASAN-PNE condemns the Supreme Court as supporter of anti -environment and anti-people policies.

The recent ruling of the Supreme Court that the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) as constitutional is a blow and an act of sheer defiance to the objections of various peoples' organizations, environmental groups and government officials, not to mention a horrible déjà vu.

"It would seem that the current administration has found a dependable accomplice in selling out the country's national sovereignty and patrimony in the form of the Supreme Court. It is clear that the administration is employing much effort in removing barriers for the ratification of this grossly unequal treaty," expressed in a statement of Kalikasan- People's Network of the Environment. (KPNE).

15 July 2008

Green group to RP Gov't: Clean Up Toxic Cargo if Sulpicio Lines Won't

Almost a month has passed but the government, Sulpicio lines and Del Monte Phils. have failed to pull-out the 10-metric ton cargo of the pesticide endosulfan from Sulpicio's sunken ship, an environmentalist group today deplored.

All parties involved in this environmental and social tragedy are quick to place the blame on each other, yet none has stood up to the urgent task of cleaning up after the tragedy, said Clemente Bautista Jr., National Coordinator of militant environmental group, Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment.

July 3, 2008

Green groups hail SP decision kicking mining firm out of Nueva Vizcaya land

On the third reading, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Nueva Vizcaya passed their resolution regarding the provincial government withdrawal of support to New Zealand-owned Oceana Gold Didipio mining project. Voting eight in favor, three opposed and one abstained, the resolution authored by Board Members Atty Edu Balgos and Merlie Talingdan was approved.

Environmental groups welcomed the SP decision, saying it was a first of its kind and a compelling precedent for other mining-affected communities.

Allan Barnacha, spokeperson of Save the Valley Serve the People Alliance in Nueva Vizcaya, said "This is another victory for the people and the environment of Nueva Vizcaya. The message of the people is loud and clear, we do not want any large-scale mining in our province and Oceana Gold is not welcome here."

"This is an unprecedented decision. It's the first time in recent history that a Philippine provincial board overturned its original decision to support a mining project," said Clemente Bautista Jr. of the militant environmentalist network Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE).