April 22 is Earth Day. Founded by Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970 to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Goal is healthy and sustainable environment. St. Francis of Asisi was born on April 22.

Earth spirituality is living our Christian faith vis-à-vis the planet Earth our home. Earth spirituality is the interdependence of ecology and spirituality.

Love for the planet earth and for God’s creatures impelled the Diocese of Marbel to mobilize against Coal Fired Power Plant and Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI).

            Caravan, protect rally against Coal Fired Power Plant took place in front of President Carlos Garcia Park in General Santos City on 22 April 2009, Earth Day.

            Main objective is to continue manifesting people’s opposition to the proposed Coal Fired Power Plant in Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani province because of its negative effects on the environment and on human health.

            Ninety-five (95) vehicles and thousands participated.

            On 23 April another caravan – protest rally took place in Koronadal City. Venue for the protest rally was in front of SMRAA stadium.

            Objective is to continue the opposition against the mining activities of SMI in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

            Proposed method of extracting gold, copper and other minerals is open pit. Trees will be cut down, mountain, bulldozed and no clear disposal of mine tailings.

            Mining will contribute to global warming, cause flashfloods and mudslides, and pollute the environment. Mining thus threatens food security and people’s health.

            Vehicles numbered more than 100. Estimated participants – 2,500.

NO TO COAL FIRED POWER PLANT! NO TO DESTRUCTIVE MINING! NO TO GREED!

    YES TO GOD! YES TO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS FOLLOWING THE PRINCIPLE OF INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY/SOLIDARITY! MABUHAY ANG PLANETA EARTH

MANIFESTO AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION OF

SOUTHERN MINDANAO POWER PLANT (SM200)

April 22, 2009

General Santos City

We, the various groups from the people and civil society organizations, church people, academe, youth and students, farmers and fisher folks, workers, women and professionals from and nearby SOSKSARGEN areas, strongly manifest our vehement opposition to the planned construction of a Coal Fired Power Plant or CFPP in Sitio Tampuan, Barangay Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province and call on the concerned government agencies and the proponent company – Conal Holdings Corporation (CHC), to abandon the plan.

We reiterate our reasons and arguments based on facts and experiences that the project will not bring sustainable development to the people of SOSKSARGEN but rather aggravate environmental degradation and will eventually pose problems to human health.

23 April 2009

DIOCESE OF MARBEL DENOUNCES LARGE SCALE MINING

STATEMENT ON EARTH DAY

The Diocese of Marbel along with the different sectors and other progressive organizations banded together today in a rally to commemorate the World Earth Day.

Calling for environmental protection and preservation of the earth’s resources, the demonstrators denounced destructive projects particularly large-scale mining in Tampakan. According to the group, large-scale mining leads to the displacement of indigenous peoples and local communities, contamination of water systems, destruction of the environment and hazards to human health.

The rallyists also decried blatant militarization as a scheme to protect the interests of mining companies at the expense of people’s human rights. They demanded justice for the murder of Boy Billanes, who is believed to have been a victim of extra judicial killing owing to his staunch opposition to mining.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world,

We celebrate Christ’s resurrection on 12^th April this year. His resurrection is his victory over death and sin. Resurrection means new life.

New life means:

1. People become more Christ-like, always obedient to God’s will;

2. More advocates for the integrity of God’s creation and against destructive mining and coal fired power plant which emits noxious gases;

3. More government officials who are honest, competent and sincerely committed to public service;

4. Foreigners to stop meddling in internal affairs of our country;

5. Media practitioners to communicate truth and foster moral values;

6. Parents to care for their children through Christian values formation and provision for their basic needs;

7. Educators to empower students to become leaders in government service and private business;

8. Priests and religious to exercise their prophetic role without fear or favor;

9. Youth to be more active in social transformation;

10. Terrorists to immediately stop their criminal activities and work instead for progress and prosperity.

P/Chief Supt. Fidel A. Cimatu, new Regional Director (RD), PR12 made his courtesy visit to Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez on 25 March 2009.

          He was accompanied by P/Sr. Supt. Norberto Batislaong, Chief, Regional Intel Div, PR 12 and P/Sr. Supt. Robert Kiunisala, Provincial Director (PD), South Cotabato.

          PD Kiunisala updated the Bishop on the murder of Eliezer “Boy” Billanes. No lead so far.

          RD Cimatu instructed PD Kiunisala to solve the murder as fast as possible and to “listen to the Bishop”.

          Bishop Dinualdo informed the police officers that his policy is “Kaibiganin ang lahat’, including the military and the police.