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THANK YOU TO KIDMACO CLUSTER
It was really quite an evening last April 3, 2008 at the covered gym of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU). The members of the National Coordinating Council of the PMPI were feted with a variety of surprises.
The evening started with cocktails, complete with a chocolate fountain. This was made possible with the wines donated by Bro. Crispin and Mr. Renato Lebrun.
Then there was a musical rendition by the Allegro Chorale. Then the group was invited to a sumptuous dinner prepared by the KIDMACO cluster members. The roasted pig was contributed by the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) and Bro John of the NDDU. The sashimi and kinilaw were donated by Kingback, Ms. Becky Berlin of Fishport and Ms. Joanne Gaceta. The green salad was prepared by Hesed Foundation represented by Sr. Susan Bolanio. The big crabs and prawns came from the Notre Dame Educational Association (NDEA). The delicious goat dish was prepared by Ms. Beth Ng. Fruits and some drinks came from SAC Marbel, SAC Kidapawan, and SAC Cotabato.
On the whole, the dinner was hosted by Bro Robert McGovern of the NDDU Business Resource Center . Coordinating everything, as in everything, was Ms. Mercy Capisin of the MTTP.
Then the finale presentation: a cultural show of native dances. The program was directed by Ms. Marites Esteva and emceed by Mr. James Nietes. The Likas Teatro of NDDU presented beautifully some local traditions in dances. And the performers even went down the stage and invited our guests to learn and dance with them.
It is difficult to forget that night. It was unusual for the NCC to be feted with such dinner and cultural show. The PMPI will always be grateful to all the people who have made the event so beautiful and memorable for all of us!
More sOs News Bit
1. Kasibu – Nueva Vizcaya - Barricade against the demolition is still on-going in Barangay Didipio even though Oceana Gold has managed to make another road. The company is taking all means to force the residents to sell their lots then followed by demolition even while the negotiation is not yet final. Demolish-first-negotiate-later is the tactic.
Also, a 10-month barricade against the entry of Royalco Mining in other parts of this town (KIRED area is compose of five barangays) is still standing despite the forceful attempt to break them by company and the police.
2. San Carlos – Negros Occidental - The Social Action of San Carlos along with other partner NGO spearheaded a dialogue with the Military Brigade of Negros provinces. It was intended to educate the military on the issue of mining and its possible role in keeping peace and order and in respecting the human rights of environmental activists. The event took place in Tanjay, Negros Oriental last May 16, 2008.
3. Manicani & Homonhon - Guiuan, Eastern Samar – On its Diocesan Consultation last May 10, mining issue has taken a prominent space and had been hotly discussed. Attended by the Bishop Crispin Varquez, and Congressman Teodolo Coquilla and other government officials, people of the twin islands had a glimpse of hope when their bishop stood in their behalf against the private and government power behind the Hinatuan and Heritage Mining Corporations.
4. Tandag – Surigao Del Sur - Atlas Mining is now entering the town of San Miguel , touted to be the Rice granary of Surigao Del Sur. The Social Action Center of Tandag has gotten the support of National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), all government entities which has a multimillion agricultural project in the area. The towns of San Miguel, Carmen and Cantilan have been plagued by floods believed to be exacerbated by massive forest
denudation. Sudecor Logging Company logged the area.
5.Tampakan – A social pressure is mounting for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to act on the proposed ban on open pit mining in this province. Equal pressure is coming both from the businesses and pro-mining and the Catholic Church and other anti-mining advocates. It's a litmus test for the provincial government political will and is eagerly
awaited by the national movement against the onslaught of large scale mining in this mineral-rich Minadanao province.
6. Siocon – Zamboanga del Sur - The Task Force Canatuan (TFC) is set to meet this coming May 26 – 27 at Barangay Paduan, Siocon, Zamboanga Del Sur (the seat of Timuay Jose Anoy, Subanon Chieftain) to further the plan of the campaign against the TVI mining in this place. This is in time of the gathering of all Subanon for a thanksgiving ritual at the foot of mount Canatuan , their holy ground that is being mined by Canadian TVI. Here also will be a ceremony of the turning-over of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title to Apu Manglang Glupa Pusaka, the organization of the Subanon together with National Commission on Indigenous People.
7. Vitali – Zamboanga City – As the world was celebrating the Labor Day last May 1, in this town a public hearing was conducted vis a vis a mining application of Linktone Mining Company but was marred by animosity because of the failure of Environmental Management Bureau to handle the event justly. It fails to hear the sentiments of the anti-mining group because of the monopoly done by its consultant's technical presentations which were obviously to glorify the mining company and its supporters. This has gotten the ire of the local communities and led to fighting which according to testimonies was even provoked by the pro-mining group. This was blottered in the local police station. This according to the press statement released by the Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate.
8. Kibungan - Benguet - Alluyon ya Pacde de Benguet (a local consortium of POs, NGOs, IP groups and Social Actions in Benguet) banded together to oppose the Almagan Mining Exploration in the towns of Atok, Kibungan, Bokod and Itogon. Prayer rallies were offered in the past months invoking God and the government to intervene in the tainted FPIC processes. Recovering from the hazards of abandoned mining of Boneng Mining Corporation in their midst, people here do not want to repeat the doom they have suffered by giving-in again to the promises of another mining company.