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Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Local artists launch environment campaign
LOCAL musicians here will launch mini-concerts and appearances on various bars and restaurants that will welcome the environment advocacy to popularize the anti-coal-fired power plant and anti-mining campaign in Panay.
The Musikerong Ilonggo para sa Katawhayan (Musika), in coordination with the Ilonggo Concerned Artists for the Environment (I-Care) and Artista kag Manunulat nga Makibanwahanon (Ambon), gathered the musicians in the campaign against the proposed construction of a 100-MW coal-fired power plant in Btac.
Viejo and Concepcion, Iloilo and against the re-activation of pending mining applications by big companies such as Occidental Pacific Climax Corporation whose application runs to 16,200 hectares in the fifth district of Iloilo.
Joeben Pineda, chairperson of Musika, said that the songs they play must also be relevant to the issues besetting the people.
"We would like to share to the people, especially those from Santiago, Btac.
Viejo and Concepcion that we are with them in their fight against this hazardous coal-fired power plant.
We are convinced that this kind of power generating project is considered the dirtiest source of energy worldwide".
Last March 5, the group started bar hopping at Shel Syd Bar along Diversion Road, Iloilo City.
A film was also played showing the experiences of other people whose communities have been affected by mining operations.
Nearly a hundred of environment advocates and customers applauded the performances of various local bands and threw their support to the campaign.
PG "Boyet" Zoluaga, vice chairperson of Ambon and coordinator of I-Care, expressed gratitude to the local bands that responded in this campaign.
"We are happy that local bands such as Tribu ni Mali, Bahaghari, Ilahas Etnik Group, MP3, Boy Malik, and Mystery Puppets shared their time in this advocacy for environmental protection.
We hope that more local bands will be joining to strengthen the people's struggle against anti-environment and anti-people policies and projects which are being implemented", said Zoluaga.
ICARE have been closely working with other people's formation for environment.
Last February 12, in a renewal of commitment and gathering of the members of the People's Response for the Protection of the Environment (Protect), visual artists led by Zoluaga made a huge painting depicting the people's solidarity to defend the national patrimony against abuse and exploitation.
Joemari Moleta, chairperson of Ambon, also stressed that their campaign for environmental protection is not merely confined among artists themselves.
"We are forging the unity of the artists and cultural workers to be part of the people's endeavor for environmental protection. We are also open to other disciplines and people's organizations who want to be a part of our advocacy".
Moreover, Pineda added that they are in unity with the people's call to junk the privatization of our electric power industry.
"The entry of Mirant as the proponent for this coal-fired power plant is due to the government's policy of allowing big, private power producers to invest in the electric power industry. But the privatization scheme is not doing well to the public; rather, it simply assures profits for private investors. Thus, we call on the government to ensure an environment-friendly, low-cost, and safe electric power industry", added Pineda.
"We also join the campaign to scrap the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 that liberalize our mining industry. We believe that mining is vital for the development of the country but to allow big foreign mining corporations to explore end extract our rich mineral resources for a maximum of fifty years will do more harm than good for the environment and the people's health and livelihood", added Moleta.
Tie group also joined the people's picket in the commemoration of the decade of Mining Act last March 3. PR
(March 9, 2005 issue)
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