Saturday, February 27, 2010
SURIGAO DEL SUR – Upon entering the pacific side of the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, you will be greeted by an alluring coastline and lush towering green mountains.
Two old towns of Claver and Carrascal hosted the huge Iron Mountain, so called for its immense iron reserves. You could not reach the 120-year-old town of Carrascal without passing Novienta or the most mysterious, exciting and scary Kilometer 90. Local people would say “Novienta” because its 90 degrees uphill road.
A mountain rich with iron and other minerals, during day time the mountain becomes amber red.
Like zigzag road in Baguio, passing the narrow and curvaceous road of Novienta is quite an adventure for the motorist.
In the town of Claver, alluring seascapes and white beaches becoming color red.
With the entry of seven large-scale mining operations in the pacific side of the provinces, the towering red mountain, inch by inch is devoured by machines for shipment to Japan, China and Australia.
Machines that literally slice the red mountain into hundreds of wounds have caused the mountain to cry and drift its tears down to the pacific sea.
“They started to appease the people’s resistance with promise of development like community livelihood. They started to build center for operations and wharf for the loading of minerals to the ship. Employment was promised to all, yet until now only half have been employed for construction, and at this time they have mostly been laid off. All these were also the promises made by the mining companies which ultimately were proven to mean economic and physical dislocation of the people,” lamented Medio Suhian, president of Carrascalanon Hiniusang Aksyon Alang sa Yutang Gilauman (Cahayag).
Bashing Aclan, a resident and a woman leader of Nasipit, Adlay, Carrascal narrated, “I was offered an amount of P50,000 per one hectare of land. But we earned more than enough from our farm lots annually.”
Carrascal is the host of the largest mangrove forest in the province or if not, in the entire Philippines.
“This mangrove forest serves as the cradle of marine life and sanctuary to various species of fish, one of nature's most interesting habitats. Carrascal bay is threatened by sedimentation from the on-going mining operation which also translate to a threat to our livelihood in the coastal areas as well as the food survival of the community,” said Ramon Ellorico, a fisherman.
The people of Carrascal are self-supported by fishing and farming with a population of approximately 13,000 people distributed in 16 villages.
Today, residents of Cantilan are also alarmed after Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued a mining permit inside their critical watershed area.
A town dubbed as the rice granary in Surigao del Sur is at stake.
The Red Mountain or iron mountain reminds the people of its majestic height and abundance which serves as the backdrop of every farm lots and fishing grounds in the community. Once it’s gone, it’s like killing the farmers and the fisherfolk of their survival. (Carl Cesar C. Rebuta)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Iron mining in Surigao brings ancient Philippine iron wood to the brink of extinction
Surigao del Norte, Philippines –The Magkono tree is the Philippine hardest tree. It is so hard that it’s called “iron wood”. Cutting down a mature tree even using modern methods is still a time consuming and laborious process. The Magkono has been classified by the government and international conservation organizations as endangered due to over-cutting and habitat loss. It is unfortunate that this tree is only found in the Surigao provinces.
Iron wood decor/Iron Wood Furniture
Towns in Surigao del Sur like Liangga are well known for their furniture and decorative items which can last for generations and are impermeable to termites and other wood boring insects. Skillfully made and elegantly designed, some furniture items are heirloom pieces and can fetch hefty prices in the furniture market.
The tree from where this durable, dark-colored and extremely solid wood comes from may be found in the dense forests of Mount Diwata and Red Mountains in the Surigao provinces. However, the scarcity in the supply of Magkono wood makes it difficult for local furniture makers to supply the demand for Magkono furniture. Unknown to many, the entry of large-scale mining and logging in the Surigao provinces have brought about the increasing scarcity of the Magkono species.
The last Magkono tree stands defiantly amidst the devastation of an open pit mine in Surigao del Sur. (photos by Cocoy Rebuta)
Caraga Region, the mining capital of the Philippines where the Surigao provinces are found, currently hosts eighteen (18) operating mines.
The oldest of these mines is Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) in the Red Mountain of Claver, Surigao del Norte. During its 20 years of operation, TMC has displaced the Mamanwa tribe in Barangays Taganito and Urbiztondo, home to the largest known iron ore deposit in the world.
Today, the Magkono tree and its wood have been used to illustrate the toughness and resiliency of the people in Surigao.
The human barricade in a small village Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte headed by a multi-sectoral group Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force (ABAKATAF) has prevented the entry in the last nine years of Anglo-American Plc, the second largest mining company in the world and Philex Mining Company, the Philippine largest mining company, in the rich agricultural village of Anislagan.
In Surigao del Sur, another human barricade manned by the multi-sectoral group Baywatch Foundation has prevented the transport of mineral ore since November 16, 2009 by Marcventures Development Corporation, which is operating in the watershed of Cantilan declared critical by the DENR.
Cantilan is a rice producing town and the food basket of Surigao del Sur whose productivity is threatened by government’s aggressive promotion of the sale of ore deposits to transnational corporations.
The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center/Kasama sa Kalikasan-Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/Foe-Phils), Alternative Law Groups (ALG) and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) are pushing for the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB) to secure critical watersheds, highly-productive agricultural areas, protected areas, forest and the like from wholesale destruction by multi-national corporations which is already degrading the country’s biodiversity.
The struggle continues, but the people of Surigao have demonstrated their resiliency in meeting this threat remains as firm as ever and hard as their native “Iron Wood”.
By Cocoy Rebuta, LRC-KsK
Iron wood decor/Iron Wood Furniture
Towns in Surigao del Sur like Liangga are well known for their furniture and decorative items which can last for generations and are impermeable to termites and other wood boring insects. Skillfully made and elegantly designed, some furniture items are heirloom pieces and can fetch hefty prices in the furniture market.
The tree from where this durable, dark-colored and extremely solid wood comes from may be found in the dense forests of Mount Diwata and Red Mountains in the Surigao provinces. However, the scarcity in the supply of Magkono wood makes it difficult for local furniture makers to supply the demand for Magkono furniture. Unknown to many, the entry of large-scale mining and logging in the Surigao provinces have brought about the increasing scarcity of the Magkono species.
The last Magkono tree stands defiantly amidst the devastation of an open pit mine in Surigao del Sur. (photos by Cocoy Rebuta)
Caraga Region, the mining capital of the Philippines where the Surigao provinces are found, currently hosts eighteen (18) operating mines.
The oldest of these mines is Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) in the Red Mountain of Claver, Surigao del Norte. During its 20 years of operation, TMC has displaced the Mamanwa tribe in Barangays Taganito and Urbiztondo, home to the largest known iron ore deposit in the world.
Today, the Magkono tree and its wood have been used to illustrate the toughness and resiliency of the people in Surigao.
The human barricade in a small village Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte headed by a multi-sectoral group Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force (ABAKATAF) has prevented the entry in the last nine years of Anglo-American Plc, the second largest mining company in the world and Philex Mining Company, the Philippine largest mining company, in the rich agricultural village of Anislagan.
In Surigao del Sur, another human barricade manned by the multi-sectoral group Baywatch Foundation has prevented the transport of mineral ore since November 16, 2009 by Marcventures Development Corporation, which is operating in the watershed of Cantilan declared critical by the DENR.
Cantilan is a rice producing town and the food basket of Surigao del Sur whose productivity is threatened by government’s aggressive promotion of the sale of ore deposits to transnational corporations.
The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center/Kasama sa Kalikasan-Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/Foe-Phils), Alternative Law Groups (ALG) and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) are pushing for the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB) to secure critical watersheds, highly-productive agricultural areas, protected areas, forest and the like from wholesale destruction by multi-national corporations which is already degrading the country’s biodiversity.
The struggle continues, but the people of Surigao have demonstrated their resiliency in meeting this threat remains as firm as ever and hard as their native “Iron Wood”.
By Cocoy Rebuta, LRC-KsK
Cantilan residents hold 30th day Vigil against Mining
By Carl Cesar C. Rebuta
http://themindanaocurrent.blogspot.com/2009/12/campaign-against-mining.html
Residents of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur closed their 30th vigil against mining with a Mass officiated by Father Pit Ubalde in the makeshift tent installed by the anti-mining multi-sectoral group in Triangle (Junction). The multi-sectoral group is headed by the lady Mayor of Cantilan Tomasa Guardo and the CanCarMadCarLan Baywatch Foundation.
Since November 16, the community launched a local checkpoint against Marcventures Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) to prevent the company from transporting mineral ores to the nearby wharf.
Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, a town near Cantilan has 2 large-scale mining operations controlled by the Pimentels, the Political clan of Surigao del Sur. “Carrascal mining operations is a concrete evidence of how it ruins the lives and livelihood of the local people. Our rich coastal sanctuaries are already silted, Our water and irrigations are murky. They are killing people.”- Sister Lydia Lascano, ICM, Coordinator of SAC-Tandag narrated inside the makeshift tent.
Cantilan is the food basket of Surigao del Sur. “We have vast tract of rice fields and abundant marine resources. These are our gold in Cantilan not the ore beneath our rich agricultural lands,” Mayor Tomasa Guardo, a strong staunch against mining in her town, who also issued a municipal resolution not to allow Marcventures, an LGU power of asserting their right to say “No” under the local government code of 1991.
Tinty Irriberi, Acting President of Baywatch Foundation described that the vigil was a 24/7 commitment of the local people, 24 hours in 7 days and it will go on. “We will be here until the mining permit of MMDC is canceled. We have already filed a cancellation of MMDC’s MPSA permit in the office of the Secretary of DENR last June 24, 2009 but until today we have not received any letter from the said office”
http://themindanaocurrent.blogspot.com/2009/12/campaign-against-mining.html
Residents of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur closed their 30th vigil against mining with a Mass officiated by Father Pit Ubalde in the makeshift tent installed by the anti-mining multi-sectoral group in Triangle (Junction). The multi-sectoral group is headed by the lady Mayor of Cantilan Tomasa Guardo and the CanCarMadCarLan Baywatch Foundation.
Since November 16, the community launched a local checkpoint against Marcventures Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) to prevent the company from transporting mineral ores to the nearby wharf.
Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, a town near Cantilan has 2 large-scale mining operations controlled by the Pimentels, the Political clan of Surigao del Sur. “Carrascal mining operations is a concrete evidence of how it ruins the lives and livelihood of the local people. Our rich coastal sanctuaries are already silted, Our water and irrigations are murky. They are killing people.”- Sister Lydia Lascano, ICM, Coordinator of SAC-Tandag narrated inside the makeshift tent.
Cantilan is the food basket of Surigao del Sur. “We have vast tract of rice fields and abundant marine resources. These are our gold in Cantilan not the ore beneath our rich agricultural lands,” Mayor Tomasa Guardo, a strong staunch against mining in her town, who also issued a municipal resolution not to allow Marcventures, an LGU power of asserting their right to say “No” under the local government code of 1991.
Tinty Irriberi, Acting President of Baywatch Foundation described that the vigil was a 24/7 commitment of the local people, 24 hours in 7 days and it will go on. “We will be here until the mining permit of MMDC is canceled. We have already filed a cancellation of MMDC’s MPSA permit in the office of the Secretary of DENR last June 24, 2009 but until today we have not received any letter from the said office”
Cantilan town residents celebrate 30th day vigil against mining
CANTILAN, SURIGAO DEL SUR—In a simple rite yesterday, Dec. 16, residents of Cantilan town in the province of Surigao del Sur celebrated the 30th day of their vigilance against the mining operation of Marcventures Mining Development Corporation (MMDC).
Since November 16, residents of Cantilan town have set up a makeshift tent, which doubles as a checkpoint, at Triangle Junction in this town to prevent MMDC from transporting mineral ores to the nearby wharf.
Inside the makeshift tent, Sister Lydia Lascano, ICM, coordinator of the Social Action Center of Tandag said that the mining operation in the neighboring town of Carrascal is a concrete evidence of how mining ruined the lives and livelihood of the local people.
The coordinator of the Social Action Center of Tandag said: "Our rich coastal sanctuaries (in Carrascal) are already silted. Our water and irrigations are murky."
For her part, Cantilan mayor Tomasa Guardo said: "We have vast tracts of rice fields and abundant marine resources. These are our gold in Cantilan, not the ore beneath our rich agricultural lands."
Tinty Irriberi, acting president of Baywatch Foundation described the vigil as a 24⁄7 commitment of the local people.
The acting president of Baywatch Foundation said: "We will be here until the mining permit of MMDC is canceled. We already filed a cancellation of MMDC’s MPSA permit in the office of the Secretary of DENR last June 24, 2009, but until today we have not received any letter from the said office."
Report from Carl Cesar C. Rebuta, Team Leader of LRC–CdO–Regional Office
Since November 16, residents of Cantilan town have set up a makeshift tent, which doubles as a checkpoint, at Triangle Junction in this town to prevent MMDC from transporting mineral ores to the nearby wharf.
Inside the makeshift tent, Sister Lydia Lascano, ICM, coordinator of the Social Action Center of Tandag said that the mining operation in the neighboring town of Carrascal is a concrete evidence of how mining ruined the lives and livelihood of the local people.
The coordinator of the Social Action Center of Tandag said: "Our rich coastal sanctuaries (in Carrascal) are already silted. Our water and irrigations are murky."
For her part, Cantilan mayor Tomasa Guardo said: "We have vast tracts of rice fields and abundant marine resources. These are our gold in Cantilan, not the ore beneath our rich agricultural lands."
Tinty Irriberi, acting president of Baywatch Foundation described the vigil as a 24⁄7 commitment of the local people.
The acting president of Baywatch Foundation said: "We will be here until the mining permit of MMDC is canceled. We already filed a cancellation of MMDC’s MPSA permit in the office of the Secretary of DENR last June 24, 2009, but until today we have not received any letter from the said office."
Report from Carl Cesar C. Rebuta, Team Leader of LRC–CdO–Regional Office
Caraga is Asia’s Mining Capital
Sunstar, September 27, 2009
By Cong B. Corrales
THE Philippines, particularly the neighboring Caraga Region, has yet again landed in the discussion on environmental and human rights abuse in the international arena Saturday.
In the four-day conference held in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia -- which ended yesterday September 25 -- on Environmental Justice for Asian countries, has identified Caraga Region as Asia’s mining capital.
In the conference, which started September 22, 2009, Asian countries shared experiences on environment and human rights particularly on mining extractive industries threatening the peace and the critical biodiversity of the communities.
With the present Philippine Mining Act or Republic Act 7942, Philippines appears as the friendliest country to foreign mining companies by giving tax holidays, a favorable free and prior informed consent (FPIC) guidelines and auxiliary benefits attached to the mining permits issued.
The country's largest freshwater wetland, the largest mangrove swamp, and the widest waterfalls surfing haven in the country. Its borders encompass the provinces of Agusan and Surigao in Mindanao Island, where the Philippine's largest gold and nickel ore deposits are found, the Caraga Region or region 13 is known for.
According to Carl Cesar Rebuta of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) and Philippine Presenter for Environmental Justice Conference in Mongolia said in a phone interview yesterday that with the new statistical data on the mining tenements issued as of February this year by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) points to Caraga as the emerging mining capital in Asia.
“Caraga hosted 42 approved Mineral Production & Sharing Agreements (MPSA) covering 103,643.25 hectares or 55.29% of the entire mining permits approved in Mindanao. In the pipeline, 80 more MPSA’s pending for approval, 124 application for Exploration permits and 5 pending applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA),” explained Rebuta.
Pradip Saha of Center for Science and Environment based in India, the 2nd largest country in Asia in terms of geographical size, only 1/3 of China as the biggest in Asia. India hosted 80 approved mining permits covering 98,803 hectares a little closer to Caraga’s total land distributed for mining, Rebuta pointed out.
This emerging Asia’s mining capital host 2 of the poorest provinces in the country and majority of these permits are within the ancestral domains of the Manobo-Mamanwa tribes but only 5 Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims/Titles were issued.
And worst, the biggest work force in the region are farmers and the indigenous people who are dependent on land and water for survival.
By Cong B. Corrales
THE Philippines, particularly the neighboring Caraga Region, has yet again landed in the discussion on environmental and human rights abuse in the international arena Saturday.
In the four-day conference held in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia -- which ended yesterday September 25 -- on Environmental Justice for Asian countries, has identified Caraga Region as Asia’s mining capital.
In the conference, which started September 22, 2009, Asian countries shared experiences on environment and human rights particularly on mining extractive industries threatening the peace and the critical biodiversity of the communities.
With the present Philippine Mining Act or Republic Act 7942, Philippines appears as the friendliest country to foreign mining companies by giving tax holidays, a favorable free and prior informed consent (FPIC) guidelines and auxiliary benefits attached to the mining permits issued.
The country's largest freshwater wetland, the largest mangrove swamp, and the widest waterfalls surfing haven in the country. Its borders encompass the provinces of Agusan and Surigao in Mindanao Island, where the Philippine's largest gold and nickel ore deposits are found, the Caraga Region or region 13 is known for.
According to Carl Cesar Rebuta of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) and Philippine Presenter for Environmental Justice Conference in Mongolia said in a phone interview yesterday that with the new statistical data on the mining tenements issued as of February this year by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) points to Caraga as the emerging mining capital in Asia.
“Caraga hosted 42 approved Mineral Production & Sharing Agreements (MPSA) covering 103,643.25 hectares or 55.29% of the entire mining permits approved in Mindanao. In the pipeline, 80 more MPSA’s pending for approval, 124 application for Exploration permits and 5 pending applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA),” explained Rebuta.
Pradip Saha of Center for Science and Environment based in India, the 2nd largest country in Asia in terms of geographical size, only 1/3 of China as the biggest in Asia. India hosted 80 approved mining permits covering 98,803 hectares a little closer to Caraga’s total land distributed for mining, Rebuta pointed out.
This emerging Asia’s mining capital host 2 of the poorest provinces in the country and majority of these permits are within the ancestral domains of the Manobo-Mamanwa tribes but only 5 Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims/Titles were issued.
And worst, the biggest work force in the region are farmers and the indigenous people who are dependent on land and water for survival.
CARAGA Region: Asia’s Mining Capital?
September 25, 2009
Ulan Bataar, Mongolia – The conference on Environmental Justice held in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia on September 22-25, 2009 for Asian countries shared experiences on Environment and Human Rights particularly on Mining Extractive Industries threatening the peace and the critical biodiversity of the communities in Asian countries. With the present Philippine Mining Act or Republic Act 7942, Philippines is the friendliest country to foreign mining companies by giving tax holidays, a favorable free and prior informed consent guidelines and auxiliary benefits attached to the mining permits issued.
Caraga region as the emerging Philippines’ Mining Capital is now the Asia’s Mining Capital. The country's largest freshwater wetland, the largest mangrove swamp, and the widest waterfalls lie within its boundaries. The deepest waters in the country - the deepest in the world and the surfing haven in the country. Its borders encompass the provinces of Agusan and Surigao in Mindanao Island, where the Philippine's largest gold and nickel ore deposits are found, the Caraga Region or region 13 is known for.
With the new statistical data on the mining tenements issued as of February 2009 by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), no doubt, Caraga in the northern –eastern part of Mindanao will be the mining capital in Asia.
Caraga hosted 42 approved Mineral Production & Sharing Agreements (MPSA) covering 103,643.25 hectares or 55.29% of the entire mining permits approved in Mindanao. In the pipeline, 80 more MPSA’s pending for approval, 124 application for Exploration permits and 5 pending applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA).
Pradip Saha of Center for Science and Environment based in India, the 2nd largest country in Asia in terms of Physical size, only 1/3 of China as the biggest in Asia. India hosted 80 approved mining permits covering 98,803 hectares a little closer to CARAGA’s total land distributed for mining.
This emerging Asia’s mining capital host 2 of the poorest provinces in the country and majority of these permits are within the ancestral domains of the Manobo-Mamanwa tribes but only 5 Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims/Titles were issued.
And worst, the biggest work force in the region are farmers and the indigenous people who are dependent on land and water for survival.
Carl Cesar Rebuta
LRC-CdO Regional Office
Philippine Presenter for Environmental Justice Conference in Mongolia
Ulan Bataar, Mongolia – The conference on Environmental Justice held in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia on September 22-25, 2009 for Asian countries shared experiences on Environment and Human Rights particularly on Mining Extractive Industries threatening the peace and the critical biodiversity of the communities in Asian countries. With the present Philippine Mining Act or Republic Act 7942, Philippines is the friendliest country to foreign mining companies by giving tax holidays, a favorable free and prior informed consent guidelines and auxiliary benefits attached to the mining permits issued.
Caraga region as the emerging Philippines’ Mining Capital is now the Asia’s Mining Capital. The country's largest freshwater wetland, the largest mangrove swamp, and the widest waterfalls lie within its boundaries. The deepest waters in the country - the deepest in the world and the surfing haven in the country. Its borders encompass the provinces of Agusan and Surigao in Mindanao Island, where the Philippine's largest gold and nickel ore deposits are found, the Caraga Region or region 13 is known for.
With the new statistical data on the mining tenements issued as of February 2009 by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), no doubt, Caraga in the northern –eastern part of Mindanao will be the mining capital in Asia.
Caraga hosted 42 approved Mineral Production & Sharing Agreements (MPSA) covering 103,643.25 hectares or 55.29% of the entire mining permits approved in Mindanao. In the pipeline, 80 more MPSA’s pending for approval, 124 application for Exploration permits and 5 pending applications for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA).
Pradip Saha of Center for Science and Environment based in India, the 2nd largest country in Asia in terms of Physical size, only 1/3 of China as the biggest in Asia. India hosted 80 approved mining permits covering 98,803 hectares a little closer to CARAGA’s total land distributed for mining.
This emerging Asia’s mining capital host 2 of the poorest provinces in the country and majority of these permits are within the ancestral domains of the Manobo-Mamanwa tribes but only 5 Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims/Titles were issued.
And worst, the biggest work force in the region are farmers and the indigenous people who are dependent on land and water for survival.
Carl Cesar Rebuta
LRC-CdO Regional Office
Philippine Presenter for Environmental Justice Conference in Mongolia
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