CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 18, 2009—The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is calling everyone to rally for the passage of the Alternative Mining Bill (AMB), now known as House Bill 6342 which was officially filed in Congress last May 13, 2009.

This, while the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of Region X (MGB-10) reported that total sales of various mineral products in the region in 2008 amounted to PhP63.04 million. The region’s total mineral production for 2008 was 628,911.50 cubic meters.

MGB-10 also reported that total extraction fees collected for 2008 region-wide amounted to P9.82 million; while total excise tax collected amounted to P1.27 million.

Church workers from various parishes of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro as well as non-government organizations (NGOs) workers signed their names on a big tarpaulin to show support for the “urgent passage” of HB 6342 and immediate scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 or R.A. 7942.

Francis Patindol, chairman of the board of the Mindanao Media Advocates for Environment Preservation (MMAEP), Inc. said that people must urged their respective representatives in Congress to support the passage of AMB.

“We must not be complacent but do our part in urging our congressmen to support the urgency of the passage of the AMB,” Patindol, one of those who signed the tarpaulin, said.

The AMB seeks to regulate the rational exploration, growth and consumption of mineral resources onshore (as well as quarry resources, sand and gravel, guano and gemstones).

It also guarantees the impartial sharing of benefits for the country, indigenous peoples, local society and other purposes.

The AMB prohibits offshore mining and other resources such as petroleum and coal natural gas, radioactive materials and geothermal energy because these reserves entail specific principle.

Rev. Fr. Jose A. Cabantan, director of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, called on the House of Representatives to support the passage of the AMB, saying “it is now time to scrap the RA 7942.”

“The AMB aims to bring back the exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources within the framework of national development, the right of peoples to self-determination, and respect for human rights and the environment,” Cabantan said.

“The support of this campaign will not only strengthen the crusade in favor of the Alternative Mining Bill but also in support for the people who are adversely affected by mining operations,” he added.

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D. also joined Cabantan’s call, stressing that after fourteen years of the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995, no solid proof of progress especially in the sites of struggles (SOS, the term used to refer to communities in the mining areas) is evidenced.

“Fourteen years of the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995 had brought about the physical and economic dislocation of many indigenous peoples and other upland rural communities, as well as aggravated the already dire situation of our environment - by handing over our lands and mineral resources for corporate exploitation. All these, in exchange for a grossly disadvantageous amount from mining revenues,” Ledesma said.

The Episcopal Commission on Indigenous People (ECID) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and other Church leaders have expressed their support to AMB.

Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III also joined the calls for the immediate scrapping of the 1995 Mining Act and the urgent passage of HB 6342.

“After 14 years, the Mining Act of 1995 left a legacy that will continue to haunt us,” Guingona said, citing as examples watersheds threatened by increased presence of mining operations, host communities that remained poor while largely foreign mining companies raked in huge profits, indigenous people’s right to their ancestral domain grossly violated and a government deprived of its equitable share from the use of our mineral resources, among others.

“It is imperative that we rectify the Mining Act of 1995.This matter gains urgency in the light of rapid and increased presence of mining operations particularly in Mindanao,” he added.

Guingona, who is seeking a seat in the Senate in 2010, urged the government to correct its mistakes by passing the Alternative Mining Bill.

“The government needs to correct itself where it errs. The Mining Act of 1995 is riddled with holes which must therefore be rectified with the filing of an Alternative Mining bill. Most glaring of these holes is the provision which allows direct participation of foreign-owned corporations in mineral resources exploration, development and utilization which severely limits the power of the state to excise taxes. Another is the lack of provision for the basis of sharing.”

“The Alternative Mining Bill seeks to address the issues of environmental accountability, equitable distribution of wealth and sustainability in mining. Let us therefore support the Alternative Mining Bill,” he urged. (Bong D. Fabe)