Press Releases
With the rift between world's biggest miner BHP Billiton and Asiaticus Mining Corporation (Amcor) being far from over, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has done nothing to protect the interests of the indigenous communities who are gravely affected by these mining companies.
On the day Pesident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivers her 8th State of the Nation Address, indigenous peoples groups from different parts of Mindanao will be delivering their own version of the annual national situationer to draw attention to the plight of the country’s indigenous people who feel they have been excluded from the country’s development agenda.
This is in response to a story which appeared in another paper on July 15, 2008 (“12 Australian mining firms in RP compliant with standards, says envoy”, Business Mirror, B. 4) In it, Australian ambassador Rod Smith maintained that Australian mining companies in the country adhered to “the highest safety and environmental standards”. He also expressed confidence that Australian mining firms gave “highest priority on sustainable development”. Finally the good ambassador claimed to have no knowledge of the investigation being conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Environmental and human rights groups met with Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Leila De Lima today to submit a report by a Fact-Finding Mission they conducted to look into reports of human rights violations against an Australian mining company which holds a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) with the government covering thousands of hectares in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
The Legal Rights & Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE-Phils.) welcomes and applaud the move of the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya as they withdraw support and oppose the Didipio gold-copper project of mining company OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. operating in the upland village of Didipio, Kasibsu, Nueva Vizcaya.
Mount Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon Zamboanga del Norte – For almost five years of waiting, "Timuoy" or Chieftain Jose "Boy" Anoy of "Apu Manglang G'lupa Pusaka" or former Chieftain Manglang's Ancestral Domain finally and emotionally received yesterday the registered Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) which turned over to him by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) at his Tribal Hall
Mining company OceanaGold Phils., Inc. in its act of demolishing houses of the indigenous peoples in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya to give way to their mining operation is illegal.
A LABOR group on Wednesday asked the President to replace the head of a government corporation involved in mining.
With the transfer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by virtue of an executive order, an environmental group warned that the rights of the indigenous peoples maybe in danger.
The monetary benefits of mining investments and operations in the Philippines is now being questioned as the provincial government of Nueva Viscaya has taken a bold step to stop OceanaGold mining company from its earth moving operations in Didipio for failing to pay Twenty Five Million Pesos (P25,000,000) in local taxes.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, SOLONS ASK SUPREME COURT ANEW TO SCRAP THE MINING ACT OF 1995 Mining- affected communities mainly from the Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao and Nueva Vizcaya, together with three members of the House of Representatives , filed today a Supreme Court petition to scrap the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act (RA)7942.
CLEVER RETREAT IN THE FACE OF SUBANONS' FIRM RESOLVE
A firm stand by a marginalized but dignified people to defend their ancestral lands can also knock some sense into the heads of those at the helm of a formidable mining company
Two Subanon leaders from Zamboanga del Norte are trooping to the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (ACMDC) Mandaluyong office to meet and urge the mining company's officials to withdraw from the Subanons' ancestral domains in Canatuan and other areas.
Today, 23rd of January 2008, Mayor Romeo Tayaban of Kasibu, Nueva Viscaya is set to Petition the Supreme Court for a Preliminary Injunction against the operation of OceanaGold mining company operating in Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Viscaya.
The Subanon Indigenous Peoples of Zamboanga del Norte urge the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (ACMDC) to withdraw its plans for a joint venture project with the TVI Resource Development Philippines(TVIRD Phils.), warning that the firm's mining activities in the tribal community's ancestral domains and sacred site, "would be a costly mistake"
At least 20 representatives from mining affected communities gathered in front of Indophil Inc/ Xstrata Inc to protest the entry of entry these mining firms, as they also serve a 'notice of eviction to the mining firms.'
An anti-mining activist is murdered, gunned down by the para-military arm of the mining company.The murder of Councilor Armin Marin of in Sibuyan Island is a reflection of the character of mining operation in the island.
In 2005, the Canadian mining company, TVI Pacific, officially opened its open pit mine on Mt. Canatuan, in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao island, south of the Philippines
"Shoot me," Vivian Balingit said to the armed men, one of whom was aiming his gun at her. The man then pressed the tip of his rifle first on Vivian's stomach, then on the right shoulder, then on her right temple.
Subanon leaders from Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte have traveled here to demand the Panel of Arbitrators of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau DENR-Region 9 to immediately decide on their petition filed last year...
