Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. 22 Oct 2008. Residents of Bgy. Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya found another ally in their struggle against an Australian mining company which they accuse of committing numerous human rights violations in their community.

“The governor and the province of Nueva Vizcaya will not tolerate any human rights violations,” declared Atty. Galima of the Office of the Governor during a dialogue between the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government and the Didipio community and supporting NGOs.  

The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, which only recently withdrew consent for the gold and copper project of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. through a Sanggunian Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) resolution, committed to backing the complaints of members of Didipio Earth Savers Multipurpose Cooperative (DESAMA) during a dialogue at the provincial capital of Bayombong.

“The provincial government has already filed a case for the declaration of nullity of the OceanaGold’s Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement,” Atty. Galima of the Office of the Governor revealed.

Members of DESAMA welcomed this development, recounting the severe disruption the mining operation has caused in their community. Apart from the human rights violations which include the shooting of Emilio Pumihic in March 2008 and the demolition of almost 200 houses early this year, DESAMA members lashed out against the mining company for destroying their farmlands and roads, preventing them from marketing their produce.

“How are we to live without our land? How can we survive if we cannot sell our products because OceanaGold has destroyed our roads and bridges?” Lorenzo Pulido councilor of Bgy Didipio asked.

Representatives of the provincial government also committed to following up on the various cases filed against OceanaGold and pledged to block the mining company’s applications for water rights in the province as these will prejudice the rights of the communities which rely on local bodies of water.

The community submitted the report of the Fact-Finding Mission conducted in 1-4 April 2008 to bolster their allegations.

The dialogue with Gov. Cuaresma was requested by residents of Bgy. Didipio and members of athe Fact-Finding Mission which investigated reports of human rights violations committed in relation to OceanaGold’s gold and copper project in the area.

For more information contact: Ronald A. Gregorio-Campaigns/ Paralegal (0917-5481674), Rovik Obanil-Communications and Networking Officer (0916-2539622). Legal Rights & Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/ Friends of the Earth Phils.