Philippines: Arroyo turns “environmentalist” at Asean, but remains mining promoter back home

18 November 2007 — Philippine environmentalists today scored President Gloria Arroyo for purporting to press for environmental issues at the upcoming Asean summit while remaining supportive of ecologically destructive mining projects back home.

In a statement, Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) National Coordinator Clemente Bautista Jr. said that GMA’s move to pursue environmental issues at the Asean summit is hypocritical in light of her rabid promotion of pro-mining policies back home.

“It’s ironic that, while the President purports to press environment issues at ASEAN, the Arroyo administration continues to actively promote large-scale foreign mining projects in the Philippines, which are among the dirtiest and most environmentally-destructive extractive activities ever,” Bautista said.

Nearly half a million hectares of land have been approved for large scale mining operations since the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942) and the passage of the Minerals Action Plan (MAP) under Pres. Arroyo’s Executive Order 270, Bautista pointed out.

As of 30 October 2006, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) approved approved 229 Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) covering a total of 373,201 hectares nationwide, 28 exploration permits (EPs) covering a total of 89,828.76 hectares of land nationwide, and 2 Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs) covering 51,919 hectares of land nationwide. Over 2,000 applications for mining permits are still lodged at the DENR, he added.

“Large-scale mining has left a legacy of impoverished communities and environmental despoliation. This is demonstrated by the Philippine’s experience with the vast environmental damage and economic dislocated caused by mine tailings spills in Boac, Marinduque and in Rapu-Rapu island in Albay,” Bautista stressed.

“The issuance of mining permits by Philippine government further reduces existing number of areas that could be channeled into food or agricultural production by communities. Foreign mining firms are granted auxiliary rights related to food and water supply access, such as timber rights, water rights, easement rights, entry into private lands & concession areas, facilitating more hardship and social unrest among the people deprived of our national patrimony,” Bautista said.

For interviews, please contact:
Mr. Clemente Bautista, Jr. , National Coordinator, Kalikasan PNE
Contact number: 0922-844-9787
Email: kalikasan.pne@gmail.com

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