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







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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
Bulatlat.com

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


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