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Mining?the way it is done in the Philippines and many other third world countries?ranks among the most destructive industries. Not only does it destroy essential forest and agricultural areas, or threaten residents with landslides and soil and water contamination, it also brings with it grave human rights abuses and the eventual disintegration of the affected communities? traditional way of life. ELAC?s partner communities in central Philippines have not been spared.
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No large-scale mining should be allowed in old growth and residual forests, protected areas, biodiversity hotspots, and other life-sustaining areas, as stated in several laws. In areas outside of these, mining should only be allowed when the directly affected communities have given their free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), as provided for in the Mining Act. This means that if, after the communities have been thoroughly oriented on the proposed project and they do not give their consent, they should not be harassed or intimidated to change their decision.
If, on the other hand, the community freely and with full knowledge gives its prior consent, all measures should be taken to mitigate the environmental and health impacts during the mine?s exploration, development and utilization, until its rehabilitation.
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Because of the government?s pro-mining policy, more ecologically important areas are being opened up to mining. Sites rich in biological and cultural diversity such as Palawan and Samar Island, supposedly protected by law from destructive projects, have become the target of mining firms, some of which have terrible track records in respecting human and environmental rights here and elsewhere.
But because they live in remote areas, communities living in proposed mining sites often have no education on mining laws, or access to legal aid. To help us reach these communities who struggle to stop the entry of large mining companies in their villages, click here. |
