June 17, 2005
Cries to 'Scrap the Mining Act' and 'Defend Patrimony' were heard nationwide
on June 10, 2005 as Diocesan Social Action Centers organized protests
against the Government's current efforts to encourage large-scale mining
investment. Synchronized diocesan mining caravans were held in Ilagan,
the DADITAMA subregion (Davao, Digos, Tagum, Mati), Pagadian, Ozamis,
and Dipolog city. As the caravans travelled, 'lightening rallies' were
held in every town center and pastoral letters and mining convention
agreements were read. In the Zamboangan Peninsula alone, over 4600 people
gathered in Pagadian and Dipolog City.
The rally in Dipolog was and inter-community affair, with representatives
from the Catholic, Protestant, Moro, and Subanon communities attending.
Participants came from all over the Peninsula in vehicles and trucks
carrying streamers which renounced support for RA 7942. Many of the
participants travelled in the back of trucks for over six hours in order
to take part in the protest.
The program was opened with a prayer by Bishop Hilario Gomez (United
Church of Christ Phil), and included presentations by Godofredo Galos
(Save Siocon Paradise Movement), Bishop Jose Manguiran (Bishop of Dipolog
- DCMI Bishop in Charge), and Romeo Sariea (Lay Minister from Sibutad).
There was also a dance from a Moro participant and a song from a choral
group from the Christian Children's Fund. The program closed with a
symbolic activity from the participants where they hand painted over
a large sign bearing the words 'RA 7942'.
The National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) initiated the various
rallies out of concern for the environment and the poor. In a recent
statement by Bishop Jose Manguiran, the Bishop challenged "the
Government of the Philippines to accept its God given responsibility
to protect the earth and defend the cause of the poor and oppressed.
Scap RA 7942 and support the rights of Indigenous people and mining
affected communities." In the NASSA campaign statement, the dioceses
explicitly call on the government to, among others, require mining companies
to clean up mine tailings and rehabilitate open pits, require mining
companies to strictly adhere to regulations prescribed by law, require
mining companies to submit comprehensive and viable relocation plans
that ensure decent and humane habitation of dislocated resident, and
identify pro-environment and pro-poor alternatives.
-Written by Maryanne Mutch, DCMI
