Forum tackles infrastructure, dev’t issues in Eastern Samar

A RECENT forum focusing on infrastructure development and environmental concerns may yet offer a ray of hope to the people of Eastern Samar to see the much-deserved development happen in their province.

The Diocese of Borongan hosted on July 24 the 4th Eastern Samar Peace and Development Forum (ESPDF) which discussed the current situation of the province’s infrastructures and environmental issues.

A report presented during the forum by the Eastern Samar Development Project Monitoring Team (ESDMT) highlighted the controversies involving the unfinished construction of road projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH).

The dreadful condition of roads in Eastern Samar has always been a perennial problem in the province which the people have learned to live with.

Environmental issues as regards the implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and mining concerns were also tackled during the meeting.

Other significant issues discussed were the practice of child labor in small mining sites and the operation of small and large-scale mining without proper consultation and permit.

Jeff Rafa of Alyansa Laban sa Mina sa Mindoro (ALAMIN) presented the National Situationer on Mining while Roslyn Arayata of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) National Secretariat discussed the Alternative Mining Bill.

At least more than 100 people attended the forum, representing parishes, ESDMT, non-government organizations, academe and media.

Representatives also came from government agencies, including the local government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mining and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Philippine Army and Philippine National Police.

Resolutions concerning mining and environmental issues have been drafted and agreed on by the participants at the end of the meeting.

Filipinos, Australians, denounce 'destructive' mining in RP

FILIPINO and Australian environmental activists jointly condemned the "destructive" mining practices in the Philippines advocated by Australian companies in a protest that was simultaneously done in other parts of world.

Activists unfurled banners of protests on a bridge along Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway, July 22, denouncing open-cut mining in the Philippines with words, “Open-cut mining scars the Earth, No to Roxby Expansion” and “Philippines: Yes to Food, No to Mining.”

The protest was also staged in Mexico, Philippines and Canada by members of Friends of the Earth International.

An anti-mining alliance of various groups and organizations called Mining Action Philippines-Australia (MAP-Oz), joined Friends of the Earth-Melbourne (FoE) in a Global Day of Action against open-pit mining.

MAP-Oz convenor and Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) officer Rodne Galicha denounced the trampling of human rights and reckless ecological destruction caused by mining.

“Despite wanton environmental degradation, human rights violations and indigenous peoples’ rights abuses, Philippine and Australian companies continue to connive with the government to exploit our natural resources,” Galicha, in a media release sent to CBCPNews, said.

Citing Philippine government’s failure to protect the people’s right to a sustainable livelihood and safe environment, Galicha further accused the government of implementing laws that favor mining companies.

“The Philippine government still denies these abuses and violations, and continues to harmonize environmental policies in favor of the mining law, thus mining licenses are being given immediately without genuine consultation and consent from communities,” Galicha said, adding:

“Open-pit mining has been promoted and causes widespread deforestation and land use conversion that causes 20 to 25 percent of carbon emissions that cause climate change. We never learned our lesson,” he lamented.

In the same media release posted on MAP-oz blogsite, Australian Mia Pepper, an FoE member, said Australians should be conscious of real issues behind anti-mining advocacies in the Philippines.

“Australians should be aware of mining companies like BHP Billiton which put a protected area in danger, Indophil/Xstrata which is continuously being opposed, Central Gold Asia facing opposition everyday in Masbate, OceanaGold challenged by the local government of Nueva Vizcaya for tax issues and opposed by the indigenous communities, Pelican Resources with its Filipino partner that caused the murder of a local official, Royalco creating divisions among indigenous peoples, and the list still continues,” Pepper said.

The environmentalist criticized Australian investors for exploiting people and resources in pursuit of their own convenience.

“Through AusAID, we help the Filipinos, but our fellow Australians with mining investments take the opportunity of exploiting their resources and these poor people in the villages where some of our aid go are being displaced, abused and sometimes their lives at stake. Australians should avoid expediency,” she stressed.

MAP-Oz is a newly-formed alliance of various Filipino and Australian groups and organizations. The group monitors, assesses, evaluates and exposes various environmental, human and indigenous peoples’ rights issues of Australian mining companies in the Philippines.

Journalists get award for leadership, heroism

TWO leading Filipino journalists will be the recipient of Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Leadership in Journalism for their commitment to the truth, justice, peace and press freedom despite the dangers and reprisals they have to contend with in their line of work.

Howie Severino of GMA-7 and Patricia Evangelista of ANC were unanimously chosen by the Award’s jury for effectively using media to dig into issues and concerns affecting people’s lives.

Severino writes, produces and hosts television documentaries on environment and other issues that affect the lives of people.

A columnist in a national paper, Evangelista also produces documentaries with social themes.

The two will be awarded with Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Leadership in Journalism and Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Emergent Leadership in Journalism, respectively.

“Both journalists can inspire the media industry and challenge ‘aspiring journalists’ to make a difference in a multi-faceted media world,” the awarding body’s press statement said.

Two other journalists were cited posthumously for their journalistic heroism.

Slain journalists Edgar Damalerio and Marlene Esperat will be awarded posthumously with Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Press Freedom, for having “lived the spirit of Blessed Titus Brandsma and stood for the truth in times of threats, compromises, despite odds and reprisals from the powers that-be.”

Winners were selected for their integrity, commitment and consistency in the practice of their profession; for promoting press freedom; and for their principled vigilance and fearless courage in confronting the burning issues of the day.

The jury also noted the journalists’ “impact on society as they empower individuals in creating a critical readership, viewership, online surfers, among others, towards human development.”

Citing Filipino journalists for their integrity and commitment to the truth can serve as inspiration and model in today’s society that sorely lacks modern-day heroes, the awarding body said.

The Titus Brandsma Award Philippines is the Philippines’ version of the international Titus Brandsma Award given by the Union Catholique Inaternationale de la’ Presse (UCIP), the world association of professionals in secular and religious media.

The Award is named in honor of Carmelite priest Blessed Titus Brandsma.

A professional journalist, educator and mystic, Brandsma was imprisoned and killed by the Nazi for defending press freedom and the right of people to catholic education. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 3, 1985 and was hailed as “Martyr of Press Freedom.”

The awarding ceremony is slated at 5 p.m. on July 29 at the Titus Brandsma Center at New Manila, Quezon City.