STA. CATALINA MANIFESTO AGAINST BLACK SAND EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION

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).

Source: https://www.facebook.com/notes/albert-rosario-rabe/sta-catalina-manifesto-against-black-sand-exploration-and-extraction/10150576452806260

No to Black Sand Mining Online Petition

Background (Preamble):

There are a total of 158 applications for mining of magnetite, onshore and offshore.

However, the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) wants the DENR to deny the applications. The group is afraid that the massive extraction of the mineral will cause environmental imbalance in rivers and coastal areas that may further degrade the environment and cause the economic dislocation of small fisherfolks whose livelihood depend directly on fishing in the municipal waters.

Pamalakaya said there are 15 magnetite mining applications in the onshore and offshore areas of San Juan (two offshore), Bacnotan (two offshore), Balaoan (two offshore), Luna (one offshore), Bangar (one offshore, one onshore), Pugo (one onshore), Burgos (one onshore), Santol (one onshore) and Sudipen (one onshore) in La Union province.

The group also learned that there are 57 blacks and mining applications in Ilocos Sur province, with four in Tagudin, four in Sta.Cruz, five in Sta. Lucia, four in Candon City, four in Santiago, four in San Esteban, five in Sta. Maria, five in Narvacan, eight in Santa, five in Caoayan, four in Sta.Catalina and four in Vigan City.

Pamalakaya noted that 86 applications for magnetite mining in Ilocos Norte province are pending before the MGB which cover the towns of Badoc (six), Pinili (three) Paoay (three), Laoag (three), Currimao (four), Bacarra (three), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (four), Bangui (one), Pagudpud (two), Batac (one), Banna (five), Nueva Era (seven), Marcos (six), Solsona (three), Carasi (five), Dingras (five), Vintar (six), Adams (two), Piddig (three) and Dumalneg (one).

Pamalakaya said the Vancouver based Canadian firm Colossal Mining holds five individual exploration and mining permits which will cover 80 percent of offshore magnetite mining for iron in the North Western Luzon along Lingayen Gulf encompassing the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, including its offshore activity in Cagayan province.

The group said the exploration and mining permits given to Colossal Mining would allow it to explore at least 15,700 hectares of offshore areas in North Western Luzon.

Petition:

We the undersigned call on to the President of the Philippines, Hon. Benigno Aquino III to address our petition to cancel all permits of Colossal Mining Corp. to stop their destructive Magnetite mining activity in our region.

We suggest to develop an eco-tourism project instead to preserve our community against curse of nature.

Sign Here: No to Black Sand Mining Online Petition

Black sand mining sa Pangasinan, ipinatigil ng EMB Region 1

see video in this link: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/108621/black-sand-mining-sa-pangasinan-ipinatigil-ng-emb-region-1

DENR must declare moratorium on magnetite mining–Pamalakaya

MONDAY, 05 DECEMBER 2011 18:50 JONATHAN L. MAYUGA / CORRESPONDENT

THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is mulling the declaration of a moratorium in the mining of magnetite in the Ilocos region following reports of the massive extraction by foreign and local mining companies.

Pamalakaya reiterated its call to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to junk a total of 158 applications for onshore and offshore mining of magnetite in four provinces in the Ilocos Region.

The group issued the appeal to Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje as it also called on lawmakers in the Ilocos region to look into the massive extraction of magnetite, also known as black-sand, particularly in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Pamalakaya, in a statement, expressed surprise why the DENR chief is mum on the issue of black sand mining, which the group said is threatening the lives and livelihood of the people in coastal areas in the Ilocos region.

There are 15 magnetite mining applications in the onshore and offshore areas of the following towns in La Union: San Juan (2, offshore), Bacnotan (2 offshore), Balaoan (2 offshore), Luna (1 offshore), Bangar (2, 1 offshore, 1 onshore), Pugo (1 onshore), Burgos (1 onshore), Santol (1 onshore) and Sudipen (3 onshore).

In Ilocos Sur, there are 57 black sand mining applications, with 4 in Tagudin, 4 in Sta.Cruz, 5 in Sta. Lucia, 4 in Candon City, 4 in Santiago, 4 in San Esteban, 5 in Sta. Maria, 5 in Narvacan, 8 in Santa, 5 in Caoayan, 4 in Sta.Catalina, and 4 in Vigan City.

In Ilocos Norte, there are 86 applications for magnetite mining which cover the towns of Badoc (6), Pinili (3) Paoay (3), Laoag (3), Currimao (4), Bacarra (3), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (4), Bangui (1), Pagudpud (2), Batac (1), Banna (5), Nueva Era (7), Marcos (6), Solsona (3), Carasi (5), Dingras (5), Vintar (6), Adams (2), Piddig (3) and Dumalneg (1).

Pamalakaya claimed that the Vancouver-based Canadian firm Colossal Mining holds 5 individual exploration and mining permits which will cover 80 percent of offshore magnetite mining for iron in the Northwestern Luzon along Lingayen Gulf encompassing the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, including its offshore activity in Cagayan province.

 Fernando Hicap, chairman of Pamalakaya, said the exploration and mining permits given to Colossal Mining will allow them to explore at least 15,700 hectares of offshore areas in Northwestern Luzon.

Pamalakaya also revealed that the mining firm Grand Total Exploration and Mining Corp. will explore at least 33,00 hectares in the offshore and onshore areas of Tagudin, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Candon City, Santiago, Narvacan, Santa, Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Vigan, Sto.Domingo, Magsingal, San Juan and Cabugao in Ilocos Sur.

The same company headed by Randy Singson will conduct magnetite mining explorations on 21,753 hectares of offshore waters in the towns of Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo and Sto. Tomas in La Union, Pamalakaya added.

Lawmakers in the congressional districts covered by Lingayen Gulf from Zambales to Ilocos Sur, the governors of Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte were asked through a letter by the left-leaning fisherfolk group to oppose the massive destruction of the coastal areas of the Ilocos region provinces.

“These magnetite giants are literally and figuratively moving heaven and earth in search for huge profits at the expense of human lives, the livelihood and the environment.

They are removing Lingayen Gulf from the surface of this earth courtesy of large-scale black-sand mining,” the group added.

 Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/20235-denr-must-declare-moratorium-on-magnetite-miningpamalakaya

No to Black Sand Mining

You think mining is only done in the mountains? Not really.

Many have overlooked that in reality mining is also done along coastal areas in the country. The attention of people and some environmentalists is just on mining in mountains like in Palawan. The strip of coastline in the Northern Luzon is now in peril because of the exploration and extraction of magnetite. This kind of mining endangers the lives of the people living in coastal areas not only their livelihood. Erosion along the coastlines is already alarming.

It seems that black sand mining is not that strictly regulated by the appropriate authorities and the local government units. Well, as perceived, the government is only concerned with the income that would be generated by these explorations which increases the temptation of perpetuating corruption.

-RWN

Conserve Energy

Saw this pic on FB...hahaha

Nice one!!
Conserve Energy....

The Environment and The Economy

The line of thinking of a capitalist is that all things have their own value. All that has value must be exhausted for progress and economic gain. However, this entails a drastic effect to the environment. When a capitalist looks all what is in the environment, there is money. Gold. Fuel. Actually everything is capable of pecuniary estimation. If these things will not be exploited, there would be no progress. However, it would mean that the environment must be compromised.

Extreme Environmentalists are trying to counter this mindset of capitalists. They think that financial gain means destruction of the environment. They offer as alternative tourism as an income generating mechanism. There is no need to destroy nature because there are other means in achieving economic prosperity.

Both are in the extreme ends. Instead of choosing one or provoking the escalation of the tension arising from the conflict between the preservation of the environment and   economic growth, there must be a balance. There is a possibility of harmonizing these extremes.

Well, this post is not enough to elaborate how this harmonization can be done. We can limit our discussion to the present issue on mining.

The Philippines is a rich depositary of mines and precious gems. however, if we subscribe to the capitalists' view, this would entail the destruction of the forests which will lead to catastrophic effects like excessive flooding and land slides resulting to death of a multitude, and the perennial issue on global warming. However, if we subscribe to environmentalists' view, then these minerals would only be useless. What would the state do to the richness of this land?

Mining in itself is not bad. The natural consequence of which is the destruction of the environment. Well, this is bad. The government must formulate mining policies that will cater both mindsets. Balance is always the answer but how.

Well, this may only be a sort of an introduction for future write-up for an extensive research on this matter.

-RWN

Fisherfolks ask DENR to junk black sand mining apps in Ilocos region

MANILA, Dec. 2, 2011—The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to reject the 158 black sand (magnetite) mining applications pending on the said office for it would be disastrous to the marine ecology surrounding the area of mining operations.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap, in a statement said, the 158 black sand mining applications are centered in the Ilocos region, both in the northern parts of the island of Luzon. Most of the applications are concentrated in La Union, Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte provinces. There are also applications for Ilocos Sur.

The fisherfolk leader disclosed that there are 15 magnetite mining applications in the onshore and offshore areas of San Juan (2, offshore), Bacnotan (2 offshore), Balaoan (2 offshore), Luna (1 offshore), Bangar (2, 1 offshore, 1 onshore), Pugo (1 onshore), Burgos (1 onshore), Santol (1 onshore) and Sudipen (3 onshore), all in La Union province. Meanwhile, 57 blacksand mining applications are pending for Ilocos Sur region: four (4) in Tagudin, 4 in Sta.Cruz, 5 in Sta. Lucia, 4 in Candon City, 4 in Santiago, 4 in San Esteban, 5 in Sta. Maria, 5 in Narvacan, 8 in Santa, 5 in Caoayan, 4 in Sta.Catalina and 4 in Vigan City.

In Ilocos Norte, there are 86 applications that cover the towns of Badoc (6), Pinili (3) Paoay (3), Laoag (3), Currimao (4), Bacarra (3), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (4), Bangui (1), Pagudpud (2), Batac (1), Banna (5), Nueva Era (7), Marcos (6), Solsona (3), Carasi (5), Dingras (5), Vintar (6), Adams (2), Piddig (3) and Dumalneg (1).

"These magnetite mining applications are selling like hotcakes in Ilocos Region. We appeal to DENR Secretary Ramon Paje to stop this dime-a-dozen approval of blacksand exploration permits,” he said.

The fisherfolk leader also said that the majority of black sand mining applications in Northwestern Luzon were filed by Vancouver-based Colossal Mining, covering about 80 percent of shores of Lingayen Gulf, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Pamalakaya also disclosed that Grand Total Exploration and Mining Corporation will explore at least 33,000 hectares in the offshore and onshore areas of Tagudin, Sta.Cruz, Sta Lucia, Candon City, Santiago, Narvacan, Santa, Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Vigan, Sto.Domingo, Magsingal, San Juan and Cabugao in Ilocos Sur.

The group also said that a mining company headed by Randy Singson, the son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Crisologo “Chavit” Singson, will explore 21,753 hectares of offshore waters in the towns of Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo and Sto. Tomas in La Union, all for the quest of black sand.

Hicap, on the other hand said, that they will call the attention of lawmakers representing the provinces of the said regions to oppose the planned offshore and on-shore mining of black sand for the sake of the environment and the livelihood of the people living near the proposed areas of operations.

Hicap also said that they will ask Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano to initiate an investigation on the issuance of magnetite mining permits in Region 1 and its impact on the environment and livelihood of small fisherfolk. [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]

Source: http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node%2F17799