STA. CATALINA MANIFESTO ON AGAINST
BLACK SAND EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION
His Excellency Benigno C. Aquino III
President
Office of the President
Malacañang Palace Compound, New Executive Bldg.
J. P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila
Your Excellency
We, the People of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur, believe so much in the Vision of Tuwid na Daan as the template of your National Leadership. We likewise agree that such Vision is holistic and encompassing, and it does not only focus on the national level, but more importantly so in the local levels, specifically the preservation of the environment.
We, the People of Sta. Catalina would like to bring to your attention our very immediate and urgent concern related to the alarming condition of our Town. Our Town is in the danger zone of being wiped out on the map because sea water is threatening to inundate the land surface of our Town.
This is due to black sand exploration and extraction being illicitly and discreetly conducted along our coastal areas. Black sand mining is hideously being operated and residents along the coastal areas publicly know all about it. However, given the political complexion of our province, the poor residents are fearful to speak out to bring their concern to local authorities.
Residents can attest to the alarming effects of black sand mining. What used to be a distance of several kilometers away from the sea, our Town now is barely half kilometer away from the sea. Tracks of farmlands were already under sea water, fresh water reserves are “salinated” and no longer potable or drinkable, remaining farmlands are also becoming salty therefore no longer appropriate for agricultural crops. Ironically, our Town is a major producer of vegetables. This main source of income is also threatened. If black sand mining is not immediately abated, in a few more years, our Town will be erased by sea water.
These and other related concerns were already endorsed to local authorities and agencies in the previous months. However, investigations conducted were “unsatisfactory” and it simply emboldened the operators of black sand mining.
It is on these circumstances that we are bringing up to you the immediate concern of our Town and the whole province of Ilocos Sur. We strongly denounce the operation of black sand mining in Sta. Catalina town and in the province of Ilocos Sur. We seek for your immediate intervention and action so that permit of black sand mining, if there’s any, shall be REVOKED, black sand mining will be immediately STOPPED and anyone found to have violated the LAW, must be dealt with in accordance with the Law.
As we support the Vision of Tuwid na Daan, we likewise recommend to the National Leadership that local issues be given equal attention and action, as this is the foundation of the National Vision.
Done on 26th day of February 2012, Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur during the Tongtongan Umili, Sta. Catalina Action for the Protection of Environment (SCAPE).
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