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Over 2600 Participate in an Anti-Mining Caravan which Culminates in Dipolog City
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.
From the DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues: a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Dipolog City, the Philippines.
For more information, please contact:
Igor O'Neill
Workphone: +62 21 794 1672
Mobile: +62 81 286 12 286
Created: 01 Jan 1970 | Last updated: 17 Jun 2005
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