Homonhon Island:
Threatened by Mining
Homonhon,
Eastern Samar is where Ferdinand Magellan's fleet first dropped anchor in 1521
before the first mass in the Philippines was held in Limasawa. But this historic
site, much admired for its majestic scenery, is being threatened by destructive
mining operations. The warning signs are already there.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY
MAUREEN JAPZON
Bulatlat
The
picturesque Homonhon shoreline
The
mine pits in Barangay Casuguran
(Clockwise)
This hut is a rest area
for miners, where they sometimes spend their nights; The so-called "school
bus" provided by HRMC serves children of pro-mining individuals, but
ignores children of anti-mining protesters; Miners take a break
A
portion of the mountain sliced into mine pits
|
(Clockwise) Mine tailings “pond” in Brgy. Cagusuan; A dried-up portion
of the river; The siltation dike; An anti-mining placard erected in
front of Barangay Casuguran church; The insufficient water supply in
the villages near the mine force residents to dig deep to get water. |
Bulatlat
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© 2004 Bulatlat
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