A BETRAYAL TO MINDORO

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), a coalition of more than a hundred environmental advocates and organizations along with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA) and Alyansa Laban sa Mina (ALAMIN), a Mindoro-based people’s organization against mining, express their frustration and utmost disappointment with the reinstatement of Mindoro Nickel Project of Intex Resources’ Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

In November 2009, hopes rose for the people of Mindoro when the DENR temporarily revoked Intex’s ECC due to anomalies on how the company acquired the certificate in question. The people of Mindoro stood their ground and resisted the entry of the mining company for more than a decade. However, the Aquino administration opted to pursue corporate capitalist interest over the threat to peoples’ lives and the environment when it reinstated the revoked ECC.

According to ALAMIN, “the people of Mindoro are now in rage because of this very unfortunate event. Intex’s ECC reinstatement is a symbol of the Office of the President and the Depertment of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) undeniable betrayal of the Mindoreños welfare and trust.”

Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina called on the Office of the President and DENR “to revoke the reinstatement of Intex’s ECC as the action taken by the respective offices has no valid grounding and contrary to the position of the local government and the affected communities. He further stated that Malacañang and DENR should be ashamed of themselves for putting corporate business interest above the best interest of Mindoreños and the environment.

“Mindoreños are one in opposing mining in the province, as this will destroy our fragile ecosystem. The people of Mindoro does not deserve this kind of betrayal from the government, the very same that should be upholding and protecting our rights and our environment.” Said Fr. Edu Gariguez, Executive Director of CBCP-NASSA

“We will not let this betrayal extinguish our fire of passion to protect our lands and mountains against corporate greed, pursued in collusion with our own government. Intex had long been trying to start their mining operation, with all their deceptive strategies and alleged bribery. They will never win. The Mindorenos will continue to heroically stand their ground to save and protect the province from outright destruction.” Gariguez concluded.

###

Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who oppose the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of EO 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and passage of the AMMB.

For more information:

Fr. Edu Gariguez, CBCP-NASSA Executive Director (0922) 834.8248  edugariguez@gmail.com
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator (0927) 761.76.02 nc@alyansatigilmina.net
Check Zabala, ATM Media and Communications Officer (0927) 623.50.66 media.comms@alyansatigilmina.net

http://alyansatigilmina.net/2015/04/15/atm-statement-on-reinstatement-of-intex-ecc-a-betrayal-to-mindoro/

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.