By: Jeremiah Longaquit

The Philippine government has always been inconsistent in its supposed campaign for environmental conservation and protection towards sustained national development.

In the year 2008 two new republic acts were approved by the government to promote protect our environment, environmental awareness and promote the use of renewable energy resources. They are Republic Act 9512 known as National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 and Republic Act No 9513 known as Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Sitio Cebuano Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Incorporated

SCARBAI Facts

·        The case is about the land dispute between land owners Candelario B. Damalerio and Lydia Congson versus SCARBAI members.

·        The land in dispute is located in Brgy. Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani Province with a total land area of 102.0773 ha. The said land was mortgage to an amount of 229,000,000.00pesos.

·        The SCARBAI community comprises of 33 family members

Last June 23, 2009, a team led by Ms. Lita Jumilla, Small Scale Mining Application(SSM) in-charge under South Cotabato Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), raided the illegal “banlas” SSM operation within Sitio Kampo Kelot/Mangisi, Brgy. Pulabato, Tampakan, South Cotabato.

          With her were Tampakan Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office(MENRO) representatives, elements of PNP Tampakan, 1^st Lt. Dennis Nolasco and Lt. Jessica Leviste, 27^th IB PA, two staff from Diocesan Social Action Center(DSAC) and Radyo Bombo reporters.

          Around 6:30am the team move towards Sitio Kampo Kelot, some 2 kms. from SMI’s base camp. Brgy. Capt. Rodel Sitcharon me the team. He was accompanied by armed CVO’s/BDS’ members.

          Brgy. Capt. Sitcharon informed the team they were not able to capture even one SS miner, because the planned raid was “burned-out”.

          He told Ms. Jumilla he would just gift her with a tunnel. On the way they were misled by the guide – a man of Capt. Sitcharon.

          The team felt they were being deceived. But a radio report from the group of 1^st Lt. Nolasco said they captured a preson on the “banlas” site. So the team decided to go to the area.

          Ms. Jumilla confirmed the report that a small scale mining operation has been going on in Sitio Kampo Kelot. Water hoses were found. This is the northern part.

          A PNP ranger assigned to the PEMO for five years reached the southern part of Sitio Kampo Kelot. Signs of ongoing illegal SSM were discovered.

          Findings: 1) instruments for panning gold, etc. 2) two spades 3) 25 pieces of boxes (sieves) installed in the river 4) water hoses 5) water pump of UPD used to supply water for drilling.

          PEMO staff secured the evidences. Water pump however was left in place.

          Mariano Tokaydo, a B’laan and resident of Purok Gumamela, Brgy. PulaBato and a caretaker of the water pump informed the team panners operated I the area owned by Yol Maguling who was already charged with illegal SSM operation. He added the UPD and SMI employees know of the illegal SSM operations, as the water pump is only 2 meters away from the panning site.

          Another B’laan, a certain Mr. Malayon confirmed that the illegal hydraulic mining is in full operation in the area. He added that Yol Maguling is the financier in the area.

          Ms. Jumilla convinced Mr. Mariano Tokaydo to sign an affidavit on the illegal mining before the PNP Tampakan.

          Meanwhile, the person reported captured by Lt. Nolasco was able to escape, notwithstanding the presence of 40 to 50 fully armed members of Charlie Coy of 27^th IB and CVOs/BDS of Brgy. Capt. Rodel Sitcharon. (DSAC staff report)

Excerpt from the Communications from the Bishop newsletter, July 4, 2009 issue

May 26, 2009

Observations:

1. Rough estimate of about 10 hectares of forest was cleared by burning in Crossing Mangisi. Burned trees were seen still standing but dead. Some trees have scraped barks within the trunks. Portion of the cleared area was already planted with corn. One participant of the ocular visit brought a GPS and measured elevation of the cleared are at 1,300 meters, meaning the elevation makes the area automatically a forest preservation area that prohibits activities like slash and burn.

2. Just few meters from the motorpool of the basecamp, trees were seen to have scraped barks along their trunks. Fallen trees due to chainsaw were seen. Sawdusts from chainsaw operations of logs for timber could be seen around though no more slabs, timbers nor logs were present.

3. Ongoing drilling operation in Mangisi area, part of Brgy. Tablu was observed. SMI announced that they are already doing final feasibility study. At this stage, drilling operation (supposed to be under the exploration stage should have ceased already, according to law). This will be followed up to Tampakan SB whether SMI has still the extended exploration permit.

4. The banlas area within the boundary of Mangisi, Tablu and Brgy Pula Bato is just below the SMI’s basecamp. The area was considered as fully grown secondary forest area and one of the headwaters of the tributary to the Taplan river. More or less 3 hectares was damaged by the illegal small-scale operation.

5. Mining tunnels were also seen in the area. They were using one of the tributaries to Taplan River for panning and discharge of toxic substance.

6. Provincial Environmental Management Officer (PEMO) De Leon who took part in the visit raided the area by confiscating some of the water hoses (more or less 50 meters long) used for hydraulic mining, “graba” (crushed ores), a wooden pan used for panning. Other materials that can be used in the illegal operation were destroyed.

7. SMI employees, workers and security force know the operation since the area is just below the base camp and they even pointed out to us the way.

8. The cutting, burning, illegal logging and illegal small scale mining are within the Mining Development Area of SMI according to the Based Map brought by Tampakan Municipal Envi Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

9. In Brgy Palo 19, illegal extraction of copper ores was stopped according to Brgy. Captain Alexander Felizilda because of the absence of the permit to operate. In the area we visited we did not see traces of recent ore extraction or hauling. Some ores in sacks were dumped along the road. We were not able to cover the whole area previously reported as sources of ore extraction.

Reports from Tampakan sent to the Bishop revealed that since January 2005 Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has felled trees and used the lumber for building construction, among others.

Landslides occurred since 2007.

Pressurized water was used to dislodge stones containing precious metals.

Experts from Diwalwal, Davao del Norte, were/are employed to dig for minerals.

Explosives were used to facilitate exploration. Tremors were felt in nearby villages.

Toxic wastes, probably mercury, were disposed indiscriminately, polluting streams and rivers.

Barks of trees were removed to cause their death. Muffled chainsaws cut down dead or dying trees. Sounds were heard only when the trees fell.

Much of Tampakan, however, is covered with old growth trees with some waterfalls. Much of Tampakan Mountain remains edenic!

Excerpt from: Communications... from the Bishop Newsletter

Fr. Thomas Berry, CP, geologian mentions four principles that govern the universe.

1. Communion. The universe is a communion of subjects not merely a collection of objects. Subjects have rights. Objects do not. All creatures of God have the fundamental right to exist. Humans should respect this right.

The next few weeks will spell the difference between a nuclear disaster and a clean renewable energy future for Filipinos.

The pushers of nuclear energy in congress want to vote on moving forward with the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) before congress closes in the first week of June, with the foolish argument that the outdated and unsafe facility can address both climate change and energy security.

The truth is you can't solve one problem by creating another.  

o        Nuclear power is not the answer to climate change. Renewable energy and energy efficiency deliver much larger reductions in carbon emissions.

o        Nuclear power is dangerous. From the mining of radioactive uranium fuel, to its transport and use for nuclear power, and finally up to its disposal, nuclear power creates a radioactive and toxic cycle, which up till now there are no solutions.

o        Nuclear Power is expensive. Building, operating and maintaining nuclear power plants cost more than most renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

o        Nuclear power is not the solution. The key to energy security and climate change is Renewable Energy and energy efficiency. And the best thing about it is: we already have a renewable energy law - so we don't need to revive outdated technology like the BNPP!

We need to tell the congress we don't want nuclear power!

If you want to tell Congress that you don't want nuclear power sign in and we'll make sure your message is delivered.

Your voice and those of your family, friends and colleagues will count!

Go to this site:

http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/en/no-nukes/