Discover Sibuyan Island

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Mining!

There are three (3) approved small-scale mining operations (with foreign financiers), two pending MPSA applications in four areas, one pending exploration permit (EP) application for five areas in the municipalities of Cajidiocan and Magdiwang, and two pending mining pier constructions.

With these existing operations, how would Sibuyan look like few years from now?

The struggle of Sibuyanons against the mining industry has been sustained but bitter one. They (in the other party) remain deaf and numb.

While it is true that our province, in a sense, is poor, Romblomanons believe that mining is not the sole solution to this problem.

It is right to say that mining is private gain from public pain.

Capitalists and government officials are keep on saying that mining in Sibuyan will mean progress for Sibuyan.

We challenge these people to name one host community that became progressive because of mining.

Truly, mining is not for islands like Sibuyan whose small size and configuration make its ecosystems very vulnerable to damage. It is a highly water-intensive industry, which depletes precious fresh water and endangers bodies of water and marine life with the curse called contamination.

Mt. Guiting-Guiting, a Natural Park, is now at the brink of exploitation and damage.

Consider the case of the Marcopper mine spill in 1996. The governor of Marinduque had to go all the way to Nevada to file a case for unpaid damages against Placer Dome since the latter packed up and left the country. He charged it with 'dumping enough waste to fill a convoy of trucks that could circle the globe three times'. This case is still ongoing.

Even ninety-percent safety is impossible to achieve because of the forces of nature in which man has no power to prevent them from occuring.

It's a big No No for Romblomanons that Sibuyan would be identified someday as an environmental "hot spot" after a surge in its economy.

Sibuyanons can survive through the abundance of the island without engaging themselves in mining industry.

Eco-tourism can be a very ideal alternative with the rich biodiversity Sibuyan has.

We humbly appeal to the concern people to put these mining operations to an end and cancel the pending permits for mining.

Sibuyan island, a 'superstar' with its rainforest, does not deserved to be sold like a prostitute.

Sibuyanons must continue fighting for their sacred rights and tell the world, "Sibuyan is not for mining!"

source: http://sanrokan.com

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