Zambo Villagers Up in Arms vs Australian Mining Fir m

Mining applicants in the Zamboanga provinces are eyeing gold, silver, chromite and ore deposits in the villages of Midsalip town, which also has the aquifer for the residents’ water needs and a sanctuary for endangered species like the Philippine eagle.

BY Mars S. Marata
Bulatlat

PAGADIAN CITY -- Residents of the mineral-rich town in Zamboanga del Sur launched a protest-rally last week against the pending applications of three prospective miners over what they said are their "sacred" lands.

Wilma Etero, leader of tthe Tumaud Pusaka Subaanen dig Midsalip (Tupusumi), an organization of Subanen people in Midsalip town, said they had learned of the adverse effects of mining operations in various parts of the Zamboanga peninsula and, according to her, they cannot afford the same thing to happen in their remaining ancestral domain.

Etero was referring to the widespread mercury contamination in the waters of Sibutad town in Zamboanga del Norte due to the operation of the Australian Philex Mining Corporation and the displacement of thousands of Subanen families in Canatuan village in Siocon town of the same province.

Tupusumi identifed Geotechnics and Mines Inc., a certain Victor Yu and Eng. Frank Real as having interest in exploring the mineral deposits in Sibutad.

The first two, according to Tupusumi, had filed application with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) while Real is allegedly in the process of holding "consultation activities" in the targeted villages.

Minerals

The mining applicants are eyeing gold, silver, chromite and ore deposits in Dumilic, Sigapud, Kumarom, Kabaloran and Guinabot, all villages of Midsalip.

Precioso Tapitan, leader of the multi-sectoral Katawhan sa Midsalip Supak sa Mina (Kamisumi), said these villages had been declared watershed areas by DENR so any mining explorations are prohibited under the law.

Tapitan said these villages host the aquifers or water sources that provide the town's potable and irrigation water. Mining over these areas, he said, could destroy the livelihood of the entire town, including several other towns in Zamboanga del Sur and Sibugay provinces.

John Rollan, an officer from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Pagadian, confirmed the watershed classification of the villages and promised to do whatever he could to "reject" any mining applications.

Mt. Pinokis, a mountain in Midsalip, had been targeted for logging in 1980s by a company called Sunbill Timber. The firm lost its license after residents held months-long protest actions and barricade to prevent the company from operating. Residents and the DENR had recently reported sightings of the Philippine eagle in the forests of Mt. Pinokis. Bulatat

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