Surigao del Norte — a weekend of drizzle from inter-tropical storm in the province didn’t stop a septuagenarian woman leading the entire community in a tree planting initiative of a small village threatened by giant mining firm.

Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte is an area very rich in natural resources. It has been identified by the government as its priority area in mining because of its rich mineral resources. It has first-class nickel and gold minerals. It is also abundant in its farm produce. Lakes, rivers, and spring, also surround it. The environment does not also provide attractive scenic spots to communities and tourists alike but primarily, it gives sufficient food and livelihood for the communities in order to survive for the coming years.. With the actual threat of mining activities in their area, it seeks to destroy the communities’ livelihood and natural resources.

The mothers are members of Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force (ABAKATAF) of Barangay Anislagan who successfully halted and prevented the entry of heavy equipments of Kalayaan Copper Gold Resources (KCGR), a joint venture of Anglo American and Manila Mining Corporation in the last 9 years, took time in reviving their remaining watershed by planting “Anislag” Tree.

The Anislag Tree, a breed of tree, is known for its strength and beauty. It is a native tree found in rare areas especially in Barangay Anislagan, Surigao del Norte. A namesake of the tree, Baranggay Anislagan also possesses the same character, strength and beauty of the tree, providing its people with life, livelihood and protection.

But as the tree is reduced to rarity through various illegal abuse like mining and illegal logging, the Anislag tree lost its strength and beauty. Now, through the efforts of the community, the elders, women and children of Barangay Anislagan, will sow the seeds of Anislag tree, as a sign of unity, strength and promise to save their community from exploitation, environmental degradation and human rights violation.

“Once the adjacent mining operation of Silangan Mindanao Mining will be fully operational this year, the rice producing and water supplier for the entire town of Placer will be affected by siltation, water scarcity and food shortage” Merlyn Gamus, Brgy. Councilor and a mother of 2 children.” Anislagan has already issued a barangay resolution not to allow any mining activities in our village”.

“What we are fighting now is for our children, it’s a parent responsibility to teach our children to be the steward of God’s creation”. Gigi Dapar, a mother of 3 children and a member of ABAKATAF.

Carl Cesar C. Rebuta
Team Leader
LRC-CdO
Cocoy.rebuta [at] lrcksk [dot] org