Local Community Approval Required for Mining Operations to Continue, says PNoy

In his report to the nation after the first 100 days in office, Philippine President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, declared his policy on mining and related issues. Replying to a question from a representative of the Cordillera region, PNoy, as the President would like to be called, reiterated local community approval. We in the movement against Rapu-Rapu mining find a silver lining in this statement. We have the signature sheets to prove that mining in Rapu-Rapu has no social acceptability owing to four reasons cited in many fora and previous posts in this website. There is environmental damage and economic injustice, as we have repeatedly shown.

Hereunder is the dialogue between Alex Bangsil and the President on October 7, 2010:

Alex Bangsil, Regional Press Officer ng Tuloy Pinoy, Yellow Force and Pinoy Lawyer:

Hindi po lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan na ang Cordillera ang isa sa mga pinakamayamang rehiyon at meron nga po tayong mga malalaking negosyo lalung-lalo na po ang mining at ang power sector na nagtayo ng malalaking negosyo rito. Ngunit marami po ang nasasadlak sa kahirapan. Ang rehiyon po ng Cordillera ang isa sa pinakamahirap dito sa ating bansa. Ano po ba ang inyong short, medium and long-term plan para sa Cordillera para maibsan ang kahirapan dito?

Translation:

It is widely known that the Cordillera is one of the richest regions (in terms of natural resources) and big business firms have invested here specially in mining and power generation. However, many are mired in poverty. The Cordillera region is one of the poorest in the country (in terms of socio-economic indicators). What are your short, medium and long-term plans to alleviate poverty here?


PNoy:

Tama po ang sinabi niyo. Napakarami ang yamang nandiyan sa Cordillera. Nandiyan po ang naudlot na autonomy niyo. Kayo po ang watershed resource the buong hilagang Luzon. Kailangan naman pong matamasa niyo ang biyayang binibigay niyo sa buong bansa. Yung short-term sa governance, more and more tutugunan. Ngayon sa mining, isa sa pinakamataas ang potensyal sa inyo ngayon, ang pananaw po natin diyan ang komunidad ang nagdidikta. Ito ba ang gusto niyong pahintulutan? Ito ba ay tumutugon doon sa mga safeguards para proteksyunan yung environment? Oo o hindi? Kayo ang dapat makilahok. Kayo dapat ang pakinggan ang boses tungo sa pag-eexploit natin ng inyong mineral resources. Sa reforestation program siyempre sa inyo magmumula. Talagang magkakaroon ng mga proyekto at pondo na kung saan trabaho ang dapat mapala ninyo. Yung sa power, natural po ineexploit ang resources niyo dapat po yung yaman na nakukuha po ng bansa ay maibalik sa inyo sa mga serbisyo, imprastuktura, pag-aangat ng kakayahan ng bawat isang mamamayan diyan.

Translation:

You’re right. Cordillera has so much wealth. Your bid for autonomy has been stymied. You are the watershed resource of the entire northern Luzon. You must reap the benefits you are bestowing on the rest of the country. The short-term plan for governance is to address this increasingly. In mining, you have the highest potential. Our view is that the community should be the one to dictate the terms. Do you approve of it? Do mining interests respond to the safeguards required for environmental protection? Yes or no? You must get involved. Your voice must be heard in the discussions about exploitation of your mineral resources. The reforestation program, of course, should begin with you. We will provide the projects and funds to generate jobs. As regards power generation, since your resources are being exploited, the benefits reaped by the country should be repaid with services, infrastructure, and the raising of living standards there.

Ilaw sa Isla

The documentary on an alternative way of developing Rapu-Rapu can now be viewed on Youtube. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p7OZ2_2X2w.