Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Issue No. 40 November 18 - 24, 2001 Quezon City, Philippines |
Farmers' Protest Halts Zamboanga Mining Operation The mining exploration by A Dynasty Multipurpose Cooperative started in 1997. The firm was supposed to start its operation last October 3 but continuous protest prevented it from doing so. BY
ELMER SAGBIGSAL SAN
MIGUEL, Zamboanga del Sur --- More than 100 farmers have been pitching camp at a
mining site here for more than a month to block the operation of a local mining
company. The
protesters prevented the entry of a drilling machine owned by A Dynasty
Multipurpose Cooperative last October 3 at Barangay (Village) Dalapan. According
to KARAPATAN-Western Mindanao, the mining concession of A Dynasty Multipurpose
Cooperative that would extract marble and bentonite deposits covers 2,025
hectares affecting nine barangays in the towns of San Miguel and Guipos. KARAPATAN-Western
Mindanao said the affected communities are Barangays Ocapan, Fatima, Laperian,
Concepcion, Kalubi, Dumalian and San Isidro of San Miguel town and Barangays
Dalapan and Katipunan of Guipos. “If
mining operation will continue, it will also affect the ricefield, fishponds and
waterways in the lowland areas in the towns of Guipos, Dinas, Dimataling, Pitogo,
San Miguel, Tabina and Illana bay,” said Felizardo Calayca, chair of the local
alliance Kusog sa Katawhan Nagbatok sa Mina sa Guipos ug San Miguel (KKNM-GSM). Calayca
said that the landowner could not produce any legal documents, instead he always
referred to the mining manager to discuss the legality of their operations. The
continued mining protest has resulted in the formation of anti-mining alliances
among the affected communities, religious sectors and support groups. KARAPATAN
said the protesters formed Kahugpungan sa Ocapan ug Dalapan Supak sa Development
Agresyon (KOSDSDA). An inter-municipal alliance called the Kusog sa Katawhan
Nagbatok sa Mina sa Guipos ug San Miguel (KKNM-GSM) has also been formed. The
alliance demanded the municipal official in San Miguel to file municipal
resolutions to cancel the mining permit of A Dynasty Multipurpose Cooperative.
The mining issue was also presented to provincial board members Atty. Andres
Nacilla, Atty. Emeliano Deliverio and Dr. Dick Fernandez. The
mining exploration by A Dynasty Multipurpose Cooperative started in 1997. In a
stone test, it found a first class marble in the world and bentonite minerals,
which is best for marmols and the making of plates and glasses. Former
Environment Secretary Antonio Cerilles approved the operation permit for open
pit mining last year while a permit for operation was signed last September 2001
by San Miguel Mayor Loquias. The firm was supposed to start its operation last
October 3. Bulatlat.com We want to know what you think of this article.
|