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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Miners set for head-on collision with bishops
By Ben O. Tesiorna
SEVERAL mining corporations are all set for a "head-on collision" with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for what they call "undue political pressures" on the mining industry.
Philippine Corporation Mining representative Melanio Andresan Monday called the bishops as "hypocrites who would like to dictate their political agenda to the government."
Andresan said the recent CBCP statement criticizing the Arroyo administration on its mining policy is reminiscent of the friar days during the Spanish era.
He said the indigenous peoples would not allow the bishops to dictate what's good or not for the lowly miners working in the hinterlands.
"We don't want the bishops to impose their will on us. That's why the lumads will rise against them," Andresan said.
He advised the bishops to confine themselves to their mission instead of meddling on the economic affairs.
Mindanao Mining Association president Edgar Martinez agreed with Andresan and urged the bishops to concentrate on their mission to save souls.
"Kung saan sana tayo magaling let us put ourselves there. They are good at saving souls, doon sila mag-concentrate. Let us take care of the stomachs," said Martinez.
Shivers to investors
The CBCP statement, Martinez said, sent shivers to foreign mining corporations all over the world who have investments in the Philippines.
Andresan said Philippine Corporation partners in Canada immediately called him Sunday after learning that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo decided to temporarily withhold the issuance of mining permits due to the CBCP statement.
He said if indeed the Arroyo administration would give in to the pressure from the CBCP then their company would close shop within 15 days.
Andresan said if this happens, about 600 employees would directly be affected and instantly become jobless.
Thousands more would also be indirectly affected as well.
He appealed to the CBCP to criticize constructively and not destroy the whole mining industry by its "irresponsible statement."
Let's talk
On the part of the government, Mines and Geosciences Bureau chief for Southern Mindanao Edilberto Arreza said they are ordered to discuss the issue with the bishops in the region.
Martinez said they had long been extending their invitation for a dialogue with the bishops but the bishops never granted it.
He said though that they are still willing to have a talk with the CBCP anytime and anywhere.
"We will send out another invitation to the bishops and hopefully we will be given a break this time," Martinez said.
CBCP statement
In a pastoral statement by CBCP president Angel Lagdameo last January 29, he said they reaffirm their stand that the Mining Act of 1995 be repealed.
"We believe that the Mining Act destroys life. The right to life of people is inseparable from their right to sources of food and livelihood. Allowing the interests of big mining corporations to prevail over people's right to these sources amounts to violating their right to life," he said.
Lagdameo said the environmental tragedies involving mining transnational corporations deny all assurances of sustainable and responsible mining that the Arroyo administration is claiming.
"Increasing number of mining affected communities, Christians and non-Christians alike, are subjected to human rights violations and economic deprivations. We see no relief in sight," he said.
Lagdameo also claims that Arroyo's "Mining Revitalization Program" is encouraging further the entry and operation of large-scale mining of TNCs.
Strictly compliant
Martinez said of all the industries operating in the country, the mining industry is among the most compliant on all the rules and regulations that the government imposed.
He said in securing a permit the mining companies would have to undergo 150 steps and secure 150 signatures from various government and non-government organizations to ensure that they comply with all the necessary requirements.
Martinez said this is a tedious task for the mining corporations but that they religiously comply with all these requirements.
In Southern Mindanao region alone, the government had issued a total of 23 mining and exploration permits including those issued before the adoption of the new Mining Act of 1995.
Arreza said they projected a $1.7-billion investment in the mining sector until 2010.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 7, 2006 issue)
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