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“US troops have a history of environmental crimes in the Philippines that have remained unaddressed with impunity.” – Dr. Giovanni Tapang, Agham
'The impacts of magnetite mining operations in Cagayan Province are an indictment on the country’s flawed mining policies.'
Latest Philippine export data of minerals to major destinations such as Japan, China, US and Canada amounted to $1.59 billion, mostly of copper, gold and nickel.
These large foreign-controlled mining firms, in hopes of surviving the mining crisis, would intensify land grabbing of mineral-rich areas and extraction of mineral wealth. At the same time, it would cut production expenses. – Kalikasan PNE
Typhoon Pablo survivors here are opposing the entry of a mining firm owned by the uncle of Pres. Benigno Aquino,III.
“Why do the military insist that the reasons we are so determined to stop the foreign mining companies are the NPAs, who are supposedly pushing us to do so? Don’t we, lowly people, also have the right to unite to protect our lands?”
'We believe that they are really after our wealth, not just because of the presence of NPA in our communities.'
'When the storm stopped, you feel like breaking down seeing your crops uprooted.'
“The P10-billion (US$ 228 m) pork barrel re-channeled to fake NGOs should have been used instead for an P8.3-billion restoration project for our country’s mangrove forest cover and almost four year’s worth of community-based disaster preparedness and response programs costing at least P2 billion.” – Kalikasan-PNE
Remembering the oil pipe leak that occurred in 2010, which also caused sufferings on the coastal villages in Cavite, the newly-formed group, the Close Petron Depot Movement (CPDM), said the Petron oil depot poses a “constant threat to the lives of fisherfolk and urban poor.”
“A study published in the IAMURE International Journal on Marine Ecology estimated that the damage to the affected ecosystems and the fisheries sector may last for up to two generations. Petron is claiming the situation in Cavite is under control, but coral reefs have reportedly been smothered by oil sludge, and reported fish and shellfish kills mean the oil slick has also affected the functions of marine species.” – Kalikasan PNE
Read also: Petron should fast track clean up, pay compensation for oil spill – fisherfolk group
“It is not only an action against the destructive and exploitative black sand mining operation, but also a blow against individuals and officials who welcomed, imposed and supported the said mining ventures through sheer political force, threats, maneuverings and deceptions.” – Defend Ilocos
“This political accommodation of environmental criminals speaks of rampant corruption in the bureaucracy. We sincerely hope this double standard was not bought for a low price of 1.034 billion pesos (US$ 23.8 million).” – Kalikasan PNE
Read also: Philex still needs to clean up, pay compensation – indigenous peoples
Philex “must understand that it is being punished for its unsafe and irresponsible mining practices, which is the basis for the fine.” It is the company’s responsibility to cleanup and rehabilitate the waters it damaged, and to compensate the adversely affected residents. – KAMP
Mining threatens to destroy Davao City watershed, but city council still has to find out how and where a Lucio Tan-owned mining company has secured permit to explore the area for mining.
Despite the January 22 cease and desist order (CDO) by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 1 against the mining activities, the mining companies did not heed the said order and instead continued with their operations.
The City Council of Itogon urged the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources -CAR (DENR-CAR) to conduct a joint investigation and evaluation of the refinery plant of Benguet Corporation at Balatoc Virac Itogon, Benguet.
“Now, with the excuse that it has not completed its dam rehabilitation, Philex once again wants to extend its operations. The real reason behind this is to rake in billions of pesos from their operation while subjecting our people to possibly another flooding and disaster.” – Kalikasan PNE
“The solid support showed by the church people, farmers and professionals shows the anti-mining sentiments of the people of Nueva Vizcaya.”
“Siguro nasa 20 percent pa tayo (ng recovery), malaki pa masyado (ang hahabulin) lalo na sa agriculture.” — Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy
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