Thursday, April 24, 2008 N. Mindanao groups oppose mining By Cherie Fae P. Ancheta Xavier University Intern
NEGATIVE effects of mining in Mindanao are now on the rise and the critical stakeholders composed of NGOs, people's organization, church, media and academe, are pointing to the continued exploration of mining as the major factor behind the alarming phenomenon.
In a two-day mining forum held on April 17-18 at SEARSOLIN, the Samdhana in partnership with Green Mindanao Association Inc. invited NGOs, church, media, academes and leaders of afflicted areas in mining from different areas in Mindanao -- Surigao, Tandag, Zamboanga, Carrascal and Cantilan, Davao Oriental, Oroquieta, Ipil, and Butuan.
The forum highlighting the Anti-mining campaign provided a venue where ecosystem communities and stewards can discuss the breadth and depth of the threat of mining in their respective areas of concerns and might as well identify useful strategies in order to respond to the challenges in mining.
Several negative aftermaths due to mining such as soil erosion, pollution, harmful effect on one's body, destruction of forests and coastal areas, change in land tenurial system and shift of political economy were among those identified in the forum.
Penelope Sanz, one of the speakers and researcher of the study "Mining in Mindanao," address issues on how to develop and raise Mindanaoan consciousness in mining.
"Mining could really affect Mindanao. We, as part of the critical stakeholders should help spread the effect of mining and be advocates for change," Sanz said.
How the media responds to the mining issue in Mindanao is also a struggle itself.
Mindanews representative and Sun.Star editor-in-chief Froilan Gallardo reiterates that most of the mining issues cannot reach the press because most affected were in far-flung areas, far from the reach of the press. He said: "Empower yourself to make the news rather than the source. Learn to practice citizen journalism."
With the continued efforts of stakeholders, programs and forums against mining are still sustaining to cater to the different concerns of areas affected in mining.
