Showing newest posts with label Environment. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label Environment. Show older posts
February 5, 2009
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Central Office: Visayas Avenue,
Diliman, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines
Through: Honorable Secretary Jose “Lito” L. Atienza, Jr
Greetings in the name of justice and peace!
Today is the eighth day of the human barricade of the 400 tribesmen of the Mamanwa community along the highway of Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte.
With them, we appeal to your good office for the fulfillment of their right to the one percent royalty of the gross output of the mining operations of the 3 companies (Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation (OSMC), Case Mining Company and Platinum Group Mining Company (PGMC)) operating in their 48,678 hectares ancestral lands.
We support them in their peaceful effort to fight for their rights as a people whose lives were very much affected by the operations of these mining firms, one even as early as 1960’s. We grieve that these people had to resort to this difficult means of protest which they consider their last resort in making their voices heard.
We condemn the fact that they were allegedly not properly informed of their rights based on the IPRA Law when they signed the Memorandum of Agreement with TMC entitling them to only P500,000 a year as “financial assistance”, when the one percent provision under the law is the minimum benefit that they should get.
We express our concern about the 5 members who were reported missing after they voluntarily returned to their camote farms to look for food for their fellow protesters. We feel for the community especially for their respective families.
We quote from the words of the tribe’s chieftain, “….we know how the justice system here favor the rich and the mighty.” May this be a challenge for us to prove that “justice for all” still reigns in our country.
We trust in the power of our liberating God that through your help, the long awaited justice be given to this people.
On behalf of the Social Action Center of Tandag Diocese,
Sr. Lydia L. Lascano, ICM
Social Action Directress
Diocese of Tandag
Surigao del Sure
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Central Office: Visayas Avenue,
Diliman, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines
Through: Honorable Secretary Jose “Lito” L. Atienza, Jr
Greetings in the name of justice and peace!
Today is the eighth day of the human barricade of the 400 tribesmen of the Mamanwa community along the highway of Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte.
With them, we appeal to your good office for the fulfillment of their right to the one percent royalty of the gross output of the mining operations of the 3 companies (Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), Oriental Synergy Mining Corporation (OSMC), Case Mining Company and Platinum Group Mining Company (PGMC)) operating in their 48,678 hectares ancestral lands.
We support them in their peaceful effort to fight for their rights as a people whose lives were very much affected by the operations of these mining firms, one even as early as 1960’s. We grieve that these people had to resort to this difficult means of protest which they consider their last resort in making their voices heard.
We condemn the fact that they were allegedly not properly informed of their rights based on the IPRA Law when they signed the Memorandum of Agreement with TMC entitling them to only P500,000 a year as “financial assistance”, when the one percent provision under the law is the minimum benefit that they should get.
We express our concern about the 5 members who were reported missing after they voluntarily returned to their camote farms to look for food for their fellow protesters. We feel for the community especially for their respective families.
We quote from the words of the tribe’s chieftain, “….we know how the justice system here favor the rich and the mighty.” May this be a challenge for us to prove that “justice for all” still reigns in our country.
We trust in the power of our liberating God that through your help, the long awaited justice be given to this people.
On behalf of the Social Action Center of Tandag Diocese,
Sr. Lydia L. Lascano, ICM
Social Action Directress
Diocese of Tandag
Surigao del Sure
I have just attended the Bishops – Legislators Forum on Environment Concerns. The Forum was convened by the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro led by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma. This is a response to recent floods which left three people dead and affected 16,104 families or 83,321 individuals in 47 barangays or more than half of the city's 80 barangays.
The legislators were represented by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the second district of Cagayan de Oro City, Rep. Teofisto Guingona Jr. of the 2nd district of Bukidnon and Rep. Jose Ping-ay of NATCCO.
The bishops side were represented by Bishop Antonio Ledesma, Bishop Juan de dios Pueblos of Butuan and Bishop Edwin de la Pena of Marawi. Also present were Father Falcon representing the diocese of Tandag and Father Danilo Paciente of the Diocese of Malaybalay.The forum was attended by various civil society groups, media, farmers and people’s organization.
The two main issues that surfaced in the forum were mining and logging. Bishop Pueblos said that CARAGA has become the mining capital of the Philippines. He recalled that before the Philippine mining of 1995 was implemented, it was hard for mining companies to secure a permit but now there are 143 applications in CARAGA alone, 83 of which are already approved.
The mining act fully allows foreigners to the ownership and operation of mining companies here in the Philippines and gives mining companies tax holidays for 10 years. The Arroyo government said it is responsible mining but again “there is no responsible mining in a graft-ridden government”.
In Cagayan de Oro, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) data shows that the bureau already approved three Exploration Permits (EP) covering a total of 7,123 hectares for gold and other minerals. The permittees are Eagle Crest Mining and Development Corporation, Cypress Mining and Development Corporation and Glendale Mining and Development Corporation.
In response, Rep Rufus Rodriguez said that he has filed House Bill 5888 in congress which seeks to make Cagayan de Oro a mining free zone. The bill intends to criminalize metallic ore mining or gold mining and regulate non-metallic mining or sand gravel operations in the city. The bill proposes bill proposes an imprisonment of at least six to 12 years for violators, including fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000. If the offense is committed by a corporation or association, “the president and the manager/s of said corporation or association, or its agent or representative in the Philippines, in case of a foreign corporation or association, shall be held liable.” Rodriguez has also filed House Bill No. 5887 to declare Cagayan de Oro a logging-free zone.
Bishop Ledesma said in his synthesis that community awareness on environmental issues has prompted a call to action which is a concerted effort from all sectors of society to protect the environment. Alternative livelihood should also be available for workers who depend on mining as a source of income. He connected it to the advocacy to reform and extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program saying that farming can be an alternative livelihood. Farming and the environment are very much interrelated.
This is already a step towards protecting our environment.
The legislators were represented by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the second district of Cagayan de Oro City, Rep. Teofisto Guingona Jr. of the 2nd district of Bukidnon and Rep. Jose Ping-ay of NATCCO.
The bishops side were represented by Bishop Antonio Ledesma, Bishop Juan de dios Pueblos of Butuan and Bishop Edwin de la Pena of Marawi. Also present were Father Falcon representing the diocese of Tandag and Father Danilo Paciente of the Diocese of Malaybalay.The forum was attended by various civil society groups, media, farmers and people’s organization.
The two main issues that surfaced in the forum were mining and logging. Bishop Pueblos said that CARAGA has become the mining capital of the Philippines. He recalled that before the Philippine mining of 1995 was implemented, it was hard for mining companies to secure a permit but now there are 143 applications in CARAGA alone, 83 of which are already approved.
The mining act fully allows foreigners to the ownership and operation of mining companies here in the Philippines and gives mining companies tax holidays for 10 years. The Arroyo government said it is responsible mining but again “there is no responsible mining in a graft-ridden government”.
In Cagayan de Oro, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) data shows that the bureau already approved three Exploration Permits (EP) covering a total of 7,123 hectares for gold and other minerals. The permittees are Eagle Crest Mining and Development Corporation, Cypress Mining and Development Corporation and Glendale Mining and Development Corporation.
In response, Rep Rufus Rodriguez said that he has filed House Bill 5888 in congress which seeks to make Cagayan de Oro a mining free zone. The bill intends to criminalize metallic ore mining or gold mining and regulate non-metallic mining or sand gravel operations in the city. The bill proposes bill proposes an imprisonment of at least six to 12 years for violators, including fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000. If the offense is committed by a corporation or association, “the president and the manager/s of said corporation or association, or its agent or representative in the Philippines, in case of a foreign corporation or association, shall be held liable.” Rodriguez has also filed House Bill No. 5887 to declare Cagayan de Oro a logging-free zone.
Bishop Ledesma said in his synthesis that community awareness on environmental issues has prompted a call to action which is a concerted effort from all sectors of society to protect the environment. Alternative livelihood should also be available for workers who depend on mining as a source of income. He connected it to the advocacy to reform and extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program saying that farming can be an alternative livelihood. Farming and the environment are very much interrelated.
This is already a step towards protecting our environment.
I have recently received an email inviting me to a Bishops-Legislators Forum on Environmental Concerns. This forum, organized by the office of the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, is in response to the recent flash floods that affected various parts of Northern Mindanao. The forum will include environmental partners from the executive and legislative branch of government, NGO’s and Church leaders.
The Forum aims to understand the general environmental situation of Northern Mindanao through presentations of case studies. It also aims to identify and discuss key environmental issues, concerns and their possible solutions and get commitments from the Legislators to support strategic policy solutions.
The forum will be held on February 12th, Thursday, at 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., at the Archbishop Cronin Hall, Cathedral Compound, Cagayan de Oro City.
The Forum aims to understand the general environmental situation of Northern Mindanao through presentations of case studies. It also aims to identify and discuss key environmental issues, concerns and their possible solutions and get commitments from the Legislators to support strategic policy solutions.
The forum will be held on February 12th, Thursday, at 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., at the Archbishop Cronin Hall, Cathedral Compound, Cagayan de Oro City.
The sun has already shone here in Cagayan de Oro city. After that gloomy week, 16,104 families or 83,321 individuals jampacked in various evacuation centers in 47 barangays or more than half of the city's 80 barangays have been displaced. Cagayan de Oro Disaster Coordinating Council have placed the initial damages to crops and livestocks at P250 million.
What happened last week has never happened in the city for decades. A historian said that the last big flood in the city happened during the 1960’s, but the recent one is probably way bigger. I think this is caused by mining, quarrying and an almost depleted forest.
Mayor Constantino Jaraula suspended all quarrying and mining operations, an act which should have been done years ago. Different sectors have been calling for it to stop for a long time. But as we all know, government needs to be poked in the head in order for it to act. Farmers have to hunger strike and walk the miles and miles in order to be heard. In this case, mother nature has to have landslide and floods in order for her to be heard.
But it is not government responsibility alone. It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of the earth. It transcends boundaries political or geographical.
People are going back to what’s left of their homes, trying to rebuild their lives. Its like starting back to zero for those whose house and crops are completely destroyed. Relief goods are pouring out from individuals to organizations. I think the United Nations World Food Program is giving 600 tons of rice.
I am glad that the sun is up and the rains, floods and landslides are gone.
Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification again
What happened last week has never happened in the city for decades. A historian said that the last big flood in the city happened during the 1960’s, but the recent one is probably way bigger. I think this is caused by mining, quarrying and an almost depleted forest.
Mayor Constantino Jaraula suspended all quarrying and mining operations, an act which should have been done years ago. Different sectors have been calling for it to stop for a long time. But as we all know, government needs to be poked in the head in order for it to act. Farmers have to hunger strike and walk the miles and miles in order to be heard. In this case, mother nature has to have landslide and floods in order for her to be heard.
But it is not government responsibility alone. It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of the earth. It transcends boundaries political or geographical.
People are going back to what’s left of their homes, trying to rebuild their lives. Its like starting back to zero for those whose house and crops are completely destroyed. Relief goods are pouring out from individuals to organizations. I think the United Nations World Food Program is giving 600 tons of rice.
I am glad that the sun is up and the rains, floods and landslides are gone.
Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification again
Arroyo Visited flood victims in Cagayan de Oro as part of his Mindanao Visit. She had her Photo ops, distributing relief goods to flashflood victims distributing food and medicine personally in front of the camera. At least the flood victims will have something to eat for a day or two.
She also also supported the Cagayan de Oro Flood Control Development Master Plan. In an interview, Mayor Jaraula proudly described the plan, “reforestation coupled by logging ban”, he said logging ban is useless without reforestation and vice versa. Well and good, but it concern of depleting almost zero forest cover in Cagayan de Oro has been voiced out by concerned citizens and advocates for a long time. I guess the city government needs to be nudged by mother nature in order to act. The plan is in itself good but it needs to be implemented as soon as possible and give it some teeth. The plan for now is good only in paper.
The flood victims are still in Macasandig Gym and in West City Central School. They cannot go back to their homes because obviously their homes are destroyed. It’s like starting back to zero. In these times, establishing a house is difficult. Clearly they need some assistance in rebuilding their homes. The victims also expressed that they be given a relocation site so that they will not have to go back to the flood prone areas in which they have lived. Second, they also wanted to also have some livelihood assistance.
The interventions mentioned above are good but I think they missed the most obvious and immediate concern that the flood victims needed.
She also also supported the Cagayan de Oro Flood Control Development Master Plan. In an interview, Mayor Jaraula proudly described the plan, “reforestation coupled by logging ban”, he said logging ban is useless without reforestation and vice versa. Well and good, but it concern of depleting almost zero forest cover in Cagayan de Oro has been voiced out by concerned citizens and advocates for a long time. I guess the city government needs to be nudged by mother nature in order to act. The plan is in itself good but it needs to be implemented as soon as possible and give it some teeth. The plan for now is good only in paper.
The flood victims are still in Macasandig Gym and in West City Central School. They cannot go back to their homes because obviously their homes are destroyed. It’s like starting back to zero. In these times, establishing a house is difficult. Clearly they need some assistance in rebuilding their homes. The victims also expressed that they be given a relocation site so that they will not have to go back to the flood prone areas in which they have lived. Second, they also wanted to also have some livelihood assistance.
The interventions mentioned above are good but I think they missed the most obvious and immediate concern that the flood victims needed.
One of the crises that the world faces today, is the oil crisis. With prices of fuel rising, prices of food commodities also rose up. In the philippines this could be felt by daily commuters with fares of public utility vehicles increasing almost weekly. It seems that in every 10 increases there is only one rollback of the prices.
Inside the jeepney, a drama is happening, a struggle, a conflict of interest. On the one hand, there is the passenger eagerly trying to save his/her earnings and fights for a peso. On the other hand, the jeepney driver and his assistant, trying to make enough money to have food on the table also fights for a peso. Everyday these events happen inside the jeepney. But this is one only one side of the equation.
The other aspect is the environment. We are already feeling the effects of Global Warming, with unpredictable weather, storms coming out suddenly in one place while on the other end there are droughts. One of the causes, are the carbon fuel emissions produced by transport vehicles.
I remember one time, a news aired nationally about an electric powered car. Now this car would have a lot of impact socially. It would free us from dependence of fossil fuels and have positive impact on the economy especially for the middle class and below. Most importantly it would totally eliminate carbon emissions.
I have stumbled upon this video from google and wondered, yeah, what happened to the electric car? It could have free us from dependence of fossil fuels and help save our world?
Check out this video and find out Who killed the Electric Car?
