Elders of nine sub-villages in a Benguet town are determined in opposing the entry of large-scale mining in their communities.

BY SONIA BULLONG
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

BAKUN, Benguet (336 km. from Manila)– Elders of at least nine sitios (sub-villages) in Barangay (village) Gambang here rejected the mineral exploration project of Royalco Philippines.

The Australian mining firm’s exploration involves an area of 986 hectares in Barangay Gambang.

In a resolution, the barangay council of Gambang endorsed the Certificate of Rejection by the council of elders of sitios Mabuhay, Pulag, Gold Star, Mogao, Batanes/Paasin, Nametbet/Lebeng/Bagtangan, Takayan, Liwang and Bolbolo, covering Phase III of the said mining exploration venture.

Barangay Captain Alvaro Paquito signed Resolution No. 51-2008, which defined the council endorsement for the said rejection.

Upon learning of the approved exploration permit application, elders questioned the processes and debates regarding legal interpretations ensued between National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) representatives and the elders. The heated exchange dismayed the Council of Leaders and Elders because of the varying interpretations of “customary laws” and “indigenous rights” as embodied in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).

Among the arguments the Certificate of Rejection forwarded include the predominantly agricultural character of the livelihood sources of the people and their preference to develop farming rather than mining; the apprehension that mining would divide the community and alter the harmonious community relationships; and the apprehension that the company’s interest in the area does not end in the exploration stage and that they fear losing their water to the mining operations.

The certification reads, “We are preserving the land for the future generation and the generations to come. We are not ready to allow these lands for large scale mining.”

The Council of Leaders and Elders also added that Sitio Liin is the source of water for both domestic and irrigation.

“In case any exploration will happen at Phase III, this will affect all the sitios sourcing water here. It would be disastrous to the residents and their livelihood,” one of the signatories said.

The leaders and elders also maintained they did not receive any prior notice regarding the consultation. They said they were informed two days before, which is not enough for them to prepare. They assert that this is a violation of their right to Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) as a community. Some of them were not able to attend due to lack of access to information in their sitios.

More elders of affected sitios are also preparing for their Certificate of Rejections, a resident said.

Royalco’s FPIC has been approved for Phase I, while those of phases II and III are undergoing consultations. Paquito said the mining company faces strong opposition from residents at Phase III . (Northern Dispatch/Posted by Bulatlat)

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