Despite the government’s open advertisement to foreign investors on mining the mountains of the Philippines, the lumads (indigenous people) of Midsalip town in Zamboanga del Sur continue their struggle in defending their sacred mountain, the Mt. Pinukis.
Anti-Mining Petition
More than 200 Visayan and Subanen community members of Barangay Palili, Midsalip town sent a petition letter to the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau-IX last December 6 stating their stand against the mining application of 168 Ferrum Pacific Corporation.
They considered the mining application a threat to their community, as stated in the letter written in vernacular. Accordingly, the source of water in the area and its neighboring towns would be affected, including the bio-diversity, and above all, they fear of losing their source of living which is purely based on agriculture.
The people of Palili who signed the said petition also believed that mining is not a way to achieve development.
They believe, as written in their petition letter, that they—both Subanens, Visayans and other settlers in the said area, would attain development through sustainable farming, Agro-Forestry, Masipag Rice Growing and Nursery Making.
The group strongly stated their opposition to all other mining application in their area-small scale and large scale.
Mining Company Ordered to Stop Operation
On the other hand, the same mining company who is operating in Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur was ordered to stop their operation as they were not able to comply with the guidelines stated on the permit given to them.
It was also noted that many pro-life and pro-environment groups in the province have criticized the mining activities promoted by most local government units putting the livelihood of local farmers at risk for the sake of large tax collections.
During the Tri-People’s Conference held last December 7 at the Sto. Niño Formation Center in connection to the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in Pagadian City, groups from the Subanen, Christians ad Muslims in the province vehemently condemns all the mining activities, supporting the cry of the Subanens in Midsalip and Bayog towns who is under threat of massive mining activities as many foreign companies apply for destroying their lands.
Accordingly, only the mining companies and the government would benefit from such investments, and the lumads would be left out in poverty despite the promise of good livelihood opportunities.
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