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Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Church leaders seek mining alternatives
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent
BUTUAN CITY -- Roman Catholic Church leaders of the Diocese of Butuan asked support from both private and public sector in looking for other means of livelihood to alleviate poverty in the countryside.
They said alternative livelihood should especially be provided to those affected by mining operations.
The church here vowed to increase its campaign against mining activities.
They said the alternative means of livelihood were aimed to counter government propaganda that development of mining in the country can spur economic development and progress through job generations and increase collection of revenues.
Diocese of Butuan Social Action Director Fr. Lito Clase and Tubay Parish Priest Fr. Jenor P. Luis of St. Anne Parish said they will tap support from non-government organizations ether locally or internationally.
They said destructive mining is not the answer of the country's economic woes but the people's concerted efforts through right planning and positive work ethics, attitude, and values.
Earlier, Auxiliary Bishop Zacharias Jimenez of the Diocese of Butuan said the development of agriculture and aquamarine resources and sustainable use of the region's rich forest resources are keys to spur economic development.
Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Vice President of influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), along with other priest called on National Government to review all agreements the government entered with mining firms.
They said recent events and sad experiences only showed the government is in cahoots with shrewd businessmen to plunder God-given environment and natural resources without thinking future generations.
Local Roman Catholic Church leaders here engaged government in a deepening conflict over mining issues after local folk and parishioners in mining affected towns complained that they were not properly consulted.
These residents alleged their local officials railroaded passage of resolutions without proper consultations for the approval of mining operations in their areas.
In Tubay, Agusan del Norte, Tubay Mayor Fidel Garcia Jr. and Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John Amante promised residents affected by mining operations of three Manila based firms that jobs and revenues amounting to millions of pesos will be provided once mining activities starts.
But lawyers and several citizens of Tubay disagreed, saying all those promises are empty because until now only a handful was employed.
They said tax collections are impossible because the permit granted to mining firms are only small scale which means the firms are exempted from paying taxes according to small scale mining law.
(August 22, 2006 issue)
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