Ifugao studes plant 7,000 trees
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Lamut, Ifugao (19 December) — In support to the national government’s call on all sectors to plant trees and maintain the environment, 700 students of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) participated in a tree planting held here recently.
Frank Dulawan, coordinator of the Alalay at Gabay na Pamayanan (AAGAPAY) said a total of 7,000 assorted seedlings were planted by the students at barangays Payawan and Mabato-bato. The said seedlings were acquired from the Community environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
The activity was also participated by cadets from 205th ARESCOM based here under the leadership of Capt. Ambrosio Dulawan, a team from the 78rh Infantry Battalion and some employees of the municipal government led by Vice Mayor Kenneth Codamon and Jun Inhumang of the Provincial Government.
Johny Martin, Chairman of the Ifugao Shooters Cooperative also briefed the students on the advantages of protecting and maintaining the environment such as tree planting.
AAGAPAY is a broad alliance of organization combining efforts of individual members, national government agencies, NGOs, cooperatives, business sector, political groups and civil society bounded together by a shared vision of a common understanding to commit itself in services to the country and people.
Dulawan said that AAGAPAY is willing to assist any organization that is bound to be elevated as a cooperative and has continuous activities with government agencies. “The AAGAPAY has started to organize associations in some parts of Lamut and Kiangan and will continue to help build more organizations in the province,” Dulawan said.
Organizations that are actively participating in the activities of the AAGAPAY are the HAPROC Cooperative in Barangays Julongan and Maggok in Kiangan and Hungduan, whose members have planted 100,000 coffee seedlings and continue maintaining and protecting them, Dulawan said. (PIA-Ifugao)
PCSD recognizes “Friends of Environment” in Cagayan
Tuguegarao City (7 December) — The Provincial Committee on Sustainable Development (PCSD) has recognized the efforts and support of municipalities, barangays, schools and community organizations who demonstrated continued interest, sustained cooperation and support in making their environment clean, green, beautiful, and healthy to live in.
For the Model Barangay, Barangay San Jose of Baggao Cagayan won in the urban category while Barangay. Balingit of Pamplona, Cagayan won in the rural category.
The Municipality of Lallo, Cagayan was adjudged as this year’s Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the province in recognition of their efforts in managing their solid wastes that makes their municipality the cleanest.
Lallo was also the sole representative of the province in the recently concluded National Zero Basura Olympics Philippine Garbology Marathon 2008, a search for municipalities who have seriously implemented the Ecological Solid Waste Management or the RA 9003.
For the schools, Ballesteros National High School won in the Best School Implementer on Solid Waste Management, High School Category, followed by Calaoagan Dackel National High School, and for the 3rd place, is a tie between Gammad National High School, Iguig, Cagayan and Callao National High School, Lasam, Cagayan.
For the Technical, Vocational and Agricultural School Category, the Claveria School of Arts and Trades bested other schools, followed by Allacapan Vocational High School as the 2nd place and in the 3rd place, a tie between Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School in Tuao and Abulug National Rural School.
For the Elementary Category, Cabiraoan Elementary School bested other contenders. The school was also given the Hall of Fame Award for maintaining their award for three (3) consecutive years. The Matucay Elementary School garnered 2nd place, Mungo Elementary School- 3rd place, Catayauan Elementary School-4th place and Sta Cruz Elementary School-5th place.
For the Sustainable Development Project, the Integrated San Lorenzo Enterprises of Barangay. San Lorenzo, Lal-lo Cagayan won in the lowland category while the Cagayan Valley Resources Developers and Protectors Federation of Baggao, Cagayan won in the upland category.
Various schools were also given citations in recognition for besting in different areas of concerns that has something to do with the cleanliness and orderliness of their schools.
Atty. Joseph Pauig, Chief of Staff of the Province, who represented Governor Alvaro Antonio, mentioned that one of the Governor’s 10 point agenda is the protection and preservation of the environment, that’s why he extends his sincerest gratitude to the awardees for helping the government in implementing the solid waste management and in keeping their community clean and green.
The PCSD members headed by Forester Robert Adap of PNREO rejoiced in the successful conduct of this year’s awarding ceremony. He further acknowledged the untiring support and commitment of the member representatives from different agencies such as, DENR, DOLE, DepEd, CSU, PIA, DILG, Provincial Government of Cagayan, Process Luzon, EDASI, NCIP and PENRO. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
NVizcaya to Launch Tree Planting Project
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (December 2) — The provincial government here will be embarking on a massive tree planting project designed to reforest denuded areas of this province which is considered as a critical watershed for Cagayan Valley.
“It is already within the sangguniang panlalawigan and we hope that this will be acted soon so that we can start with this project,” he said during the last quarter meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPC) at the Ammungan hall here.
Tabora said the massive reforestation project involves the planting of some 50,000 hectares where its sustainability will be hinged on the non-government organizations and local government units of the 15 municipalities here.
He said the project revolves on the following factors: planting, protection of the environment, cooperation of LGUs and memorandum of agreement with NGOs.
The tree planting project was conceived, he said due to the continuing denudation of the province’s forest cover which serves as a vital watershed for the Cagayan Valley region and neighboring provinces in Central Luzon.
Nueva Vizcaya’s forest cover started to decrease since the 1960s due to the influx of upland dwellers, illegal logging and the practice of slash and burn system of farming specially in the upland areas. (PIA NVizcaya)
DENR-EMB Bicol, SIS Stage Enviro Exhibit
Daraga, Albay (2 December) — In observance of the National Clean Air and Environmental Awareness Month last November, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Bicol and Sunshine International School (SIS) staged an environmental exhibit with a read-along session held at SIS campus here.
DENR-EMB, through its Environmental Education and Information Section (EEIS), showcased the bureau’s programs and initiatives on awareness on climate change and global warming phenomenon, solid waste management and other timely environmental issues that would shape the students knowledge and views on ecosystem conservation.
The two-day activity, held November 12-13, was participated in by representatives from local government units, government agencies, students and faculty members of the different academic institutions in Albay province.
Dr. Eva S. Ocfemia, DENR-EMB Bicol Pollution Control Division chief, has consistently acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders to utilize information education strategy to the academe, especially to the young students, in stressing the responsibility of every individual in caring for the environment. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)
7 tree planters awarded certificates
by Juliet B. Saley
The seven who were awarded during the launching of the 2010 Lang-ay last month were Luis Homrebueno, Jr., Antonio Apil, Lyndon Colbongan, Rodrigo Payacda, Valentine Cameyeng, Calixto Gamlosen, and Purita Cominga.
As stated in the certificate, each awardee commits to continue planting more trees and join with his neighboring awardees to protect the trees they have planted and other existing vegetation including their surroundings from forest fires and poachers as well as enhance the ecological balanced of their environment.
The Tree Planting Certificate was formulated by the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (PAENRO) Board as an incentive to all tree planters and rightful owners of the land planted under the 1 Million Tree Planting Program of the province. This was institutionalized through Provincial Ordinance No. 74 passed by Mt. Province Sangguniang Panlalawigan on July 31, 2006.
Benefits of the Tree Planting Certificate include access in acquiring permit to cut or harvest timber as required by law, free forest charges per memorandum of agreement signed by all sectors of local government units, government agencies and non-government on September 23, 2004, provided the trees to be cut were planted in 2004 and onwards under the 1 Million Tree Planting Program of the province; and income from forest products.
To avail of the Tree Planting Certificate, tree planters should submit Tree Registration Certificate including all attachment like registration of trees planted from 2004 and onwards, land tenure documents or any proof that they own the plantation, Sustainable Traditional and Indigenous Forest Resources Management System and Practices, Free and Prior Informed Consent, and Evaluation of Trees Planted.
It can be recalled that the province under its 1 Million Tree Planting program achieved its target of planting one million trees in three years in just one and a half years. As of September 2008, more than two million forest and fruit tree seedlings have already been planted in various areas in the province.
Planting trees is one of the easiest way in which the public can help mitigate the effects of global warming and climate change. (PIA Mt. Province)
Forest covers in Benguet quickly deteriorating
by SC Aro
Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, in his report during the Regional Development Council meeting held recently, said denudation of forestland is at the rate of 8,400 hectares per year. Currently, the province has a total of 172,751 hectares of forestland.
Fongwan lamented that people cut trees as if they are harvesting cabbages. This is particularly observed in the tri-boundaries of the Benguet, Ifugao and Mt. Province. He presented this to members of the RDC as an urgent issue that need to be addressed.
The RDC has earlier passed a resolution creating a Quick Response Team (QRT) purposely to contain and hasten the resolution of the escalating problem on forest and watershed destruction in the region.
National Commission on Indigenous People – CAR Regional Director requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to submit a report to the RDC on status report of QRT such as the number of cases filed and the resolution of cases.
Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr suggested the best approach in dealing with the mounting problem of deforestation is to talk to the community such that they become stewards of the area.
Talking through experience, Baguilat cited efforts the Social Action and Development Commission (SADC), a non-government organization in Ifugao, which providing alternative source of livelihood to the community which minimized the utilization of forest products. The community themselves protect the mossy forest.
“We cannot just say stop cutting trees as the people also need resources,” Baguilat said.
He added the denudation of forest is affecting geological balance which greatly contributed to the calamities being experienced today. “It is not only the DENR to blame but all of us,” he pointed out.
Batay-an, on the other hand, said that the government should stop issuing tax declaration to the forested areas.
As provided for in the local government code, the management of community forests is now a devolved function of local government units which called for the creation of the Environment and Natural Resources Office.
In strengthening the provision of the code and to formally turn-over the management and supervision of community forest, Fongwan believes that a Memorandum of Agreement should be forged between the LGU and the DENR.
RDC Acting Chair and National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Juan Ngalob said that devolution of such function requires further study. (PIA-Benguet)
Execs slate rehab program for Daet River
by RB Manlangit
Daet, Camarines Norte (16 October) — This municipality has slated the Protection and Rehabilitation Outreach Program for Daet River (PRO Daet River) on Saturday (October 17) with the conduct of a massive cleaning and rehabilitation of the water channel and surrounding areas.
Daet Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion, PRO Daet River chair, said that the municipal government here will spearhead the clean up along Daet River tapping all sectors of the community including barangays along the river as well as NGOs, POs and volunteer groups.
Sarion added the outreach program also include radio advocacy, billboard revolution awareness campaign by utilizing PRO Daet River logo among different organizations’ promotional drives
He said that the local government will ensure the consistent garbage collection along Daet River and will initiate the tree planting activities with the assistance of the concerned national government agencies.
On October 2, Sarion had issued Executive Order No. 19-2009 declaring October 17 as PRO Daet River Day, creating the different working committees and appropriating funds for the program thereafter.
The municipal government is very much concerned about the worsening problem on carrying out the solid waste management program in the country, in addressing or mitigating the effects of climate-change, in addition to the man made destruction of the environment.
An advocacy group, dubbed”Tamang Sanitasyon para sa Kalikasan at Kaunlaran”, will also plan out and carry out activities to ensure the preservation of the Daet River and biodiversity in the area.
The group is composed of Maor Sarion as chair, Dr. Wenifrede T. Oñate of CNSC, vice chair, Elpidio Z. Orata of DENR-PENRO forester, and Santiago A. Mella Jr., Ecological Solid Waste Management officer as over-all coordinators, the various government line agencies and private sectors will serve as members. (PIA CamNorte)
Green Groups Campaign for Zero Waste Solutions to Lessen Ravages of Climate Change
(parade lion waste monster to warn people of health and environmental hazards of wasting)
16 October 2009, Quezon City. In an audacious demonstration of solidarity and resolve, environmental advocates vowed to redouble their efforts in pursuing sustainable consumption and Zero Waste solutions to help avert the climate crisis.
As the Filipino people come to grips with the deadly onslaught of storms, floods and landslides, the EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and the Miss Earth Foundation stepped up their common plea for increased resource conservation and decreased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through greener lifestyle
changes and Zero Waste.
In a post-Ondoy and Pepeng community outreach, the groups in collaboration with barangay and school officials organized a creative event in Barangay Krus na Ligas in Quezon City to encourage the public to get rid of wasteful habits and consciously cut the amount of trash going to bins, waterways and dumpsites.
To emphasize the issue of wasting, the groups paraded a “lion waste monster,” a horrendous creature whose head and body were crafted mostly from plastic bags – the most obvious manifestation of the ever-increasing throw-away consumption culture that became more visible during the post-Ondoy cleanup challenge. The lion “danced” to
the vigorous beat of drums made of recycled materials.
“The destructive back-to-back storms remind us that we can no longer live ‘business as usual.’ Our wasteful consumption patterns are heating up our planet in a fast pace. By adopting Zero Waste as part of our daily routine, we conserve our diminishing natural resource base and curb pollution from the high volume of trash sent to dumpsites or dumped into our rivers and seas,” said Gigie Cruz of GAIA, which spearheaded the event to mark the “Global Day of Action against Waste and Incineration.”
“Composting our biodegradable discards, for instance, eliminates methane releases from dumpsites and landfills, while improving soil fertility and reducing demands for synthetic fertilizer and toxic pesticides,” she added. Methane has 72 times more global warming
potential compared to carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
“It is time that we make drastic changes in our practices in response to what Mother Earth is telling us. We cannot afford another ‘Ondoy’ or ‘Pepeng’ just to tell us that we need to cut and manage our waste.
We should continue to help educate and empower our people to shift to more 
environmentally-sound alternatives and opt for greener choices now,” said Cathy Untalan, Executive Director, Miss Earth Foundation.
Together with Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, Miss Philippines Fire 2009 Patricia Marie Tumulak, Miss Philippines Water 2009 Catherine Loyola, Miss Philippines Air 2009 Michelle Martha Braun and Miss Philippines Earth 2009 runner-up Kirstie Joan Babor, the eco-queens likewise promoted a switch to “Wastong Nutrisyon” to avoid non-communicable diseases that are associated with diet-related lifestyle diseases.
For his part, actor Roy Alvarez of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Steering Committee emphasized the need for all Filipinos to assume responsibility for their discards and live a waste-free lifestyle.
“We need everyone to take full responsibility in cutting our waste size to the minimum and in ensuring that our discards are ecologically managed and not merely thrown, dumped or burned. As stewards of Mother Nature, we all need to assume our role and duty to relate and care for the environment,” Alvarez said.
Following the parade, Mercy Sumilang of the Mother Earth Foundation, assisted by 10 “earth maidens and guardians,” facilitated a hands-on demonstration on the easy way of segregating discards into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and hazardous (also known as special waste) categories, and showed the audience the basic steps for successful household composting.
Zero Waste is the dynamic application of waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and composting at any level – household, institutional, community and country – that has been shown to reduce GHG emissions from avoided disposal and from reduced demand for virgin materials.
According to GAIA’s fact sheet on “Zero Waste for Zero Warming,” Zero Waste is among the cheapest and most effective strategies to combat climate change since its application lessens the use of fossil fuel from materials extraction, production, consumption and disposal, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions from these activities, while saving the forests and mountains and safeguarding other essential life
support systems.
For a healthier and safer lifestyle and environment, the EcoWaste Coalition, GAIA and the Miss Earth Foundation have come up with tips that can help in reducing not only the volume but also the toxicity of waste, such as refraining from using single-use disposable items, cutting back on plastic bags and switching to reusable carry bags, properly segregating discards for easier and cleaner recycling, composting biodegradable discards into soil nutrients, separating hazardous waste from regular household waste, and by not burning or dumping discards.
Also present in the event were the representatives of the Cavite Green Coalition, Earth Renewal Project, EARTH UST, Health Care Without Harm, Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Sanib-Lakas ng mga Aktibong Lingkod sa Inang Kalikasan and Sining Yapak.
UN’s Billion Tree Campaign hits seven billion goal target
Global climate change initiative inspires millions in run-up to crucial Copenhagen conference
New York/Nairobi (21 September) — The global public’s desire to see action on climate change was clearly spotlighted today with the announcement that the Billion Tree Campaign has reached 7 billion trees—one for every person on the planet.
Over the past three years millions of people ranging from scouts to presidents and from schoolchildren to city dwellers and corporate heads have been rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty for the environment through tree planting.
Today’s milestone was reached with the news that the Government of China has planted 2.6 billion trees as part of this unique campaign, bringing the total to 7.3 billion trees planted in 167 countries worldwide.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “Seven billion trees, seven billion commitments to action and seven billion reasons why governments should be inspired to Seal the Deal at the crucial UN climate change convention meeting in Copenhagen in less than 80 days’ time.”
“When this campaign was launched in 2006, there were those who said it could not be done. But day after day and week after week, people have got out into their gardens, parks and cities and into the countryside and the rural areas to prove the doubters wrong,” he added.
“Above all the Billion Tree Campaign shows that the simple act of planting a tree resonates and unites the child in the slums of Africa with a president in Mexico, or a corporate CEO in Paris with UN peacekeepers in Timor-Leste. It is the kind of solidarity that now needs to be expressed at the level of all governments and heads of state between now and December in order to move economies towards a low carbon, sustainable path,” said Mr Steiner.
The Billion Tree Campaign was launched jointly with the World Agroforestry Centre during the UN climate convention meeting in November 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the patronage of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Its initial goal was to catalyze the pledging and the planting of one billion trees as a way of giving public expression to the challenges of climate change and also forest and ecosystem degradation.
Since then the Billion Tree Campaign has more than surpassed its aims, evolving into a true ‘People’s Campaign’ – more than half (52 per cent) of all the participants are private individuals.
Furthermore, tree planting has become both an inter-faith and an inter-generational activity, with the trees symbolizing connections between children and parents and bringing together people from different religious backgrounds.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Kenyan Green Belt Movement and the campaign’s co-patron, said: “Let’s plant even more trees to celebrate this wonderful achievement, the fruit of collective action from people all over the planet. By making the Billion Tree Campaign such an incredible success, people from every continent are calling their governments to truly start caring for the planet and to find unity in the fight against climate change.”
His Serene Highness Albert II, the Sovereign Prince of Monaco and the campaign’s co-patron, said: “I have always had a strong belief in the symbolic strength of the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign and I am delighted that it has exceeded our greatest expectations, far beyond the welfare linked to replanting trees, to benefit future generations.”
Highlights of the Billion Tree Campaign
In the past eight months China planted 6.1 billion trees, of which 2.6 billion have been given to the Billion Tree Campaign. With the announcement of these 2.6 additional billion trees, the grand total number of trees planted for the campaign stands at 7.3 billion as of 21 September. The government planted 260 different species of trees in eleven provinces around China, from Inner Mongolia to Yunnan and from Shandong to Sichuan.
The announcement was made in New York on 21 September at a press conference attended by international dignitaries, including Campaign Patrons Wangari Maathai and Prince Albert II of Monaco, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, China’s Minister of the State Forestry Administration Jia Zhibang, and Mohamed Nasheed, the President of the Maldives. The announcement coincided with Global Climate Week, an event launched to mobilize global mass action around the UN high-level event on climate change – including the Global Tree Planting Drive on19 September where people were encouraged to plant trees on every corner of the planet.
A number of other countries around the world have planted impressive numbers of trees since the campaign was launched. Countries that have planted more than a hundred million trees range from Ethiopia (with 1.4 billion trees) and Turkey (711 million trees) to Mexico (with 537 million trees) and countries including Kenya, Cuba, and Indonesia.
In addition to bringing governments to take concrete action to reforest their lands, the Billion Tree Campaign has succeeded in catalyzing tree planting from all walks of society, bringing together creative, original and pioneering initiatives around the world.
To name a few, the Replant New Orleans Initiative sponsored a planting of fruit trees to help breathe new life into a community struggling with the aftermath of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina; the Greening Soweto Campaign is transforming dustbowls into treed lanes in Soweto by capitalizing on South Africa’s preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup; and 132 children in 56 countries have pledged to plant a total of one million trees as part of the ‘Stop talking, Start planting’ campaign, which was started by an eleven-year-old boy.
The economic gains of tree planting are powerfully illustrated by the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative. As well as being close to planting 38 million trees in the Appalachian region, the North American organization has also devised a green job tree planting proposal to stimulate the economy of Appalachia and reap the ecological benefits of a region-wide reforestation effort.
In addition, the Campaign has mobilized groups and individuals in post-conflict areas around the world, bringing the seeds of hope to communities in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Liberia and Somalia among others.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has planted 9 million trees in and around refugee camps around the globe, helping to plant hundreds of thousands of acres of trees in Asia and Africa since the 1990s.
The United Nations Departments of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and Field Support (DFS) have also participated in the campaign, with thirteen peacekeeping missions having pledged 117,848 trees. Of this number 33,184 trees have already taken root across various countries hosting peacekeeping missions. The campaign, which encouraged the planting of indigenous trees appropriate to the local environments, has not only witnessed the participation and enthusiasm of UN staff, but also of the local communities in the different areas of operation.
The private sector has become a key player in the global campaign, accounting for almost 15 per cent of all the trees planted. Multinationals from Accor to Bayer and from Toyota to Coca-Cola East and Central Africa and Yves Rocher have been active tree planters, along with hundreds of small and medium-sized companies the world over.
The campaign’s universal appeal is clear from its success on social networking sites, with some 4,000 blogs adopting the cause early in the campaign.
Proving true its motto that ‘Every tree counts, and we count every tree’, the Billion Tree Campaign’s phenomenal success is a result of the participation of people of all walks of life and from every corner of the planet. (UN/PIA)
Green Groups Support New Mining Policy In Congress
MANILA – Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), a national coalition of more than eighty (80) organizations composed of mining-affected communities and civil society organizations, expressed their support and endorsed their position on the proposed new mining policy – House Bill 6342 (Philippine Mineral Resources Act of 2009) popularly known as the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB) in a public hearing facilitated by the House Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Rep. Iggy Arroyo held last September 9 at the House of Representatives.
“Upon careful review of HB 6342, ATM strongly believes that the proposed bill puts forward some policy reforms that are reflective of the genuine needs of mining-affected communities, and that the bill will respond to the regulatory framework necessary to implement large-scale mining without sacrificing social and other costs associated with the extractive industry, which the Mining Act of 1995, after more than a decade liberal interpretation and implementation failed to address”, said ATM national coordinator Jaybee Garganera.
According to Garganera, HB 6342 has a clear declaration of state policy and that adheres to total human development and sustainable development principles.
“ATM is supportive of the clear policy positions that are imbedded in HB 6342, to name a few: 1) Integrating development of communities and science and technology initiatives, which puts local communities at the “center of development”; 2) Adherence to principles of participatory governance in the creation of the Multi-Sectoral Mineral Council that reflects true and genuine participation of local communities and their designated representatives, in accepting, studying, approving and monitoring the application and operations of mining projects, which will ensure authentic and legitimate representation, promote transparency and exact accountabilities from the decision-makers; 3) Recognition of local autonomy and just share in revenues of mining by LGUs that equitably outlines the sources of revenues by which LGUs are entitled to; 4) Addressing the social impacts of large-scale mining by mandating the contractor to prepare and submit an Environmental and Social Impact Prevention and Mitigation Plan (ESIPMP), which is a better mitigation measure than the current EIA system that does not fully address the complexity of mining operations; and 5) Improved Access to Justice where there the bill is able to lay down the policy foundations to ensure protection of human rights, definition of corporate and individual acts resulting to human rights violations, as well as prescribe procedures by which these can be resolved,” enumerated Garganera.
“On the same hearing, the House Committee on Natural Resources also deliberated two House Resolutions (HR) related to mining, namely: HR 25 “Urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to uphold its notice of cancellation or termination of Aglubang Mining Corporation’s mineral production sharing agreement No. 167-2000-IV” and HR 360 “Investigation into the effects of large-scale mining activities on the environment and people’s livelihood in Oriental Mindoro”, these covers the provinces that serve as our nation’s food basket threatened by mining operations,” said Garganera.
“The 14th Congress is nearing its end. Yet, ATM remains hopeful that the leadership of Rep. Iggy Arroyo will urgently address the unjust current practices of the mining industry, which is being exacerbated by a flawed mineral policy,” concluded Garganera.
ATM is calling for the passage of HB 6342, filed in Congress last May 13,2009, which was introduced by House Representatives, Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Erin Tañada, Walden Bello, Rufus Rodriguez, and Carlos Padilla. The bill is a proposed policy to scrap the Mining Act of 1995 and introduce a new mining policy to regulate the rational exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources onshore (as well as quarry resources, sand and gravel, guano, and gemstones) and ensure the equitable sharing of benefits for the State, indigenous peoples and local communities and for other purposes.
The Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an advocacy group and a people’s movement that upholds the rights of the present and future Filipinos against the persisting injustices related to mining. ATM is convened by HARIBON, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth – Phils. (LRC-KsK/FOE-Phils.) and PhilDHRRA.
For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM Coordinator, (0915) 315.37.19 / Roslyn Arayata, Policy Research & Advocacy Officer (0917) 521.7937
