Anti-mining Group Joins Calls Against Arroyos In "green Committees"

Anti-Mining Group joins calls against Arroyos in "green committees"

Alyansa Tigil Mina Statement

1st August 2007

The Alyansa Tigil Mina today joined calls against the appointment of Arroyo relatives into sensitive and key Congressional positions at the House of Representatives.

"We are extremely worried that with Mikey Arroyo and Iggy Arroyo chairing the House committees on energy and on natural resources, communities will have one less arena for engagement to air their grievances and seek redress for the rampant destruction of the environment," said ATM Coordinator Roy A. Calfoforo.

"GMA has recently made moves that further worry us, such as the appointment of Lito Atienza to the DENR and the transfer of the PMDC under the Office of the President," explained Calfoforo. "Now with her relatives occupying House positions that would normally be in charge of exercising oversight functions over the mining industry we fear that our concerns will not be heard at all."

"Everyone knows that GMA is selling mining as a cornerstone program of her 10-Point Agenda," said Jaybee Garganera, PhilDHRRA National Coordinator, also a member of ATM. "and her legacy projects will no doubt be funded by these same mining projects from which easy money will flow, but at what cost?"

"Already, in Siocon sulphide tailings dams operated by TVI Pacific collapsed twice this year, endangering the ecosystem and the local residents, while in Rapu-Rapu Lafayette is still able to evade responsibility for its spills two years ago," added Garganera. "Not only are these large-scale operations flaunting environmental laws, they are violating people's rights to livelihood and a sustainable future."

"Now with the Arroyos in control of these respective House Committees, what will be the use of filing a resolution inquiring into the illegal activities being undertaken by these mining companies?"

"We appeal to Reps. Mikey and Iggy to relinquish their posts out of delicadeza, constituting as it is a conflict of interest, knowing fully well that the President has taken a hands-on approach on the mining sector," said Calfoforo and Garganera. "Nobody will believe anything that happens in investigations conducted by the House Committee on Natural Resources and on Energy will be of any use if they are in charge of those bodies."

ATM is a coalition of NGOs/POs, Church, academe and other civil society groups concerned about the revitalization of large-scale mining company in the Philippines and support the Indigenous Peoples Rights in the Philippines.

For details, please contact:

Jaybee Garganera (0915-3153719), nc@phildhrra.org
Roy Calfoforo (0920-2970492), roycalf@gmail.com
John Vincent S. Cruz (0928-5028701), vince0925@yahoo.com
Tel # 02-4260385 or 02-4266740
Address: # 59 C. Salvador St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City ( www.alyansatigilmina.org)