P a r t n e r s h i p

J a n u a r yt oA p r i l 2 0 1 3V o l u meI I I s s u e1

T H E

V a r i o u s g r o u p s l a u n c h

T a o M u n a , H i n d i M i n a c a m p a i g n
S T O R Y O N B A C K P A G E

Point of View

New Challenges Ahead

by Yolly Esguerra

New path. In the next three years, the network will be involved in the capacity-building of members and partner communities while continuing our advocacy on our thematic issues. How we will fare as a network given that each member organizations have their own set of mandate and programs on top of this effort is still an open-ended question. What is good however is that the network is willing to take risks, and try new ways of partnerships. As many things may still be unclear, the key processes are consultations and dialogues. New Team. Discomforting but excited. It is always sad to let go of good people that has produced quality results but also exciting to meet and get on board new ones. What may come out of the newness is still uncertain but the good thing about the newness is that it challenges you up on your toes and wakes you up from the seeming slumber and complacency when you are all comfortable with each other. Key to this state of affairs is a process to build a team know each others values, strengths and gifts as well as weaknesses. Accept but also challenge each other. New Campaign. The E-scrap Mining Campaign or the recycling of electronic materials containing precious metals and minerals to diminish demands to open-up new mines is quite thrilling for me. Though may appear to be absurd or weird for a few allies in the anti-mining movement, but as it is developing now, partners both local and international are getting interested. The challenge is how to operationalize and go about it. The last dialogue with the recycling industry, the meetings with TWG of the E-scrap Mining, the presence of clusters who pledge to engage and the accompaniment of a good Bishop, can be summed-up as hope. So much newness? We cant sit on our laurels and comfortable chairs. We need to be disturbed every waking moment of the day so that each day becomes a joyful encounter with people seeking change and making ourselves and our organizations relevant and worthy. Newness? Dont be afraid. Take risks. Re-invent.

The Partnership Editorial Board and Staff

Yolanda Esguerra
Editor-in-Chief

Pris Saladaga, Oliver Castor and Candy Hidalgo

Associate Editors

Primo Morillo
Managing Editor

Circulation Manager

Danya Lazara

The Partnership is published by the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. with offices at Unit 204 Pacific Century Tower 1472-1476 Quezon Avenue Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines Telefax No. 9615956 Mobile No. 09228501843 pmpsecretariat@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/philmisereor

Contributor for this issue:

Farah Sevilla (ATM)

25th PMPI-NCC meeting successful

AMIDST the breathtaking view from Punta de Fabian in Rizal, members of the PMPI National Coordinating Council successfully convened last February 25-27, 2013. Starting the first day of the 25th NCC meeting, Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms (IPER) gave a presentation on Election and Mining in front of NCC members, and members of the PMPI secretariat. He challenged the network to mainstream the mining issue as it has yet to gain the attention and interest of the majority of the Philippine populace. The meeting also became a venue for the presentation of the accomplishment reports and future plans of PMPI clusters, the PMPI secretariat, the Anti-Mining Campaign, and the Task Forces on Sustainable Agriculture, Peace-

National News

Known political analyst Mon Casiple was one of the guest speakers of the 25th NCC

Secretariat welcomes new members

building and Climate Change-Disaster Risk Reduction. A short report on the financial aspects of the organization was also presented. A one-of-a-kind solidarity activity was also experienced by the participants as NCR Urban Cluster Point-person Arlene Lusterio led them

to a group mural-painting to end the second day of the event held in the town of Baras, Rizal. The delegates ended the 3-day meeting with optimism that the plans presented will be accomplished come November, when the 26th NCC will be convened in Roxas City, Capiz. ### Ebbey Lagmay just started as the new Finance Officer. She has extensive experience in finance work with government agencies and various civil society organizations like Foundation for Sustainable Society, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Sapat Sambayanan Incorporated, among others. The newly hired Research and Information Management Staff (RIMS) is Primo Morillo. He previously worked as Campaign Coordinator for the Power Privatization Program of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and as Environmental and Climate Justice Campaigner for Jubilee SouthAsia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JSAPMDD). He was a student activist during his college days in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) where he also served as a writer for the student publication. ###

PMPI partners and members will notice three new faces as three new individuals were added to the secretariat. Fr. Oliver Castor, a missionary priest, is the new Advocacy Officer for the PMPI Anti-Mining Campaign. Father Oli, as he is usually called, is the former Director of the Regional Novitiate of the Asia-Oceania Conference of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR or more

popularly known as the Redemptorists). He earned his Masters Degree on Pastoral Studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies of the Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. He was CoFounder of the Bukluran para sa Inang Kalikasan (BUKAL), an environmental group in the Province of Batangas. He was also Spokeperson of the TaskForce for Environmental Defenders of the Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE).

KIDMACO to set-up QRT for Disaster Response

AS A response to the strengthening of the networks capacity in disaster risk reduction, the KIDMACO cluster, during their meeting last April 28, positively receives the proposal from the Task Force on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction on the possibility of forming a cluster CC-DRR Quick Reaction Team (QRT). The cluster --composed of in Tampakan. An IEC wave coupled PMPI members in Kidapawan, Marbel, with a signature campaign in the areas and Cotabato area-- also discussed how educational institutions was one of the to support the Social Action Center of concrete activities identified. Marbel in the campaign against mining The Mindanao-wide movement

Cluster News

CL cluster consolidates, plans to form sub-clusters

to stop the mining operations in Tampakan was likewise discussed and the cluster opened-up to the possibility of sending a representative when a meeting is convened for this purpose. They also affirmed their support the initiatives to lobby for the Alternative Minerals Management Bill with their congressman/woman, and to popularize anti-mining campaign in urban centers through the E-Scrap Mining campaign. ###

DOPIM cluster meet held

IN A MEETING of thirteen (13) individuals representing nine organizations based in Central Luzon, the CL cluster of PMPI decided to set-up sub-clusters to facilitate a better system of coordination and communication. This is coming from their difficult experience of inability to regularly meet as a cluster and be able to coordinate and synchronize their efforts. The cluster meeting held their secretariat and that they will last April 25 at St. Josephs College- elect a new cluster point person in Olongapo, divided areas into two: the their next meeting scheduled on June Olongapo-Zambales (OZ) sub-cluster 10. Invitation of other Social Action and the Pampanga-Tarlac-Bulacan Centers in the region will be pursued. (PTB) sub-cluster. The OZ sub-cluster Likewise, two new appointed Fr. John Mara, Executive organizations expressed intent to be Director of SAC-Zambales as point part of the cluster and a process shall person while PTB selected Ka Puroy be undertaken to take them in to the Alipao of University of Sto. Tomas network. Members of the cluster are Extension Service Center. hopeful that they will be able to work Members of the cluster also more closely and efficiently in the affirmed that PANLIPI shall act as future. ###

NL sets study session on Sapat Lifestyle

DURING their periodic meeting held in Baguio City last April 18, the Northern Luzon cluster decided to hold a study session on the Sapat Lifestyle advocacy in July. Sapat Lifestyle is a support advocacy for PMPIs Sustainable Agriculture thematic concern wherein the development of an ecologically-sustainable lifestyle especially for urban folks is integrated to the campaign to promote sustainable and organic agriculture in the countryside. PMPI-NL plans to invite an expert on the topic to further deepen the cluster members understanding of the issue. ### Sustainable Agriculture, and Peacebuilding respectively. The cluster also finalized the schedule of some PMPI events in the region for the remaining months of 2013. DOPIM stands for the cities of Dipolog, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi. ###

SIXTEEN members of PMPI in the DOPIM area attended their cluster meeting last April 11-12 held in Dipolog City. The attendees also decided National Coordinator Yolly Esguerra graced the event to update to group DOPIM organizations into them about the efforts of the Secretariat each of the thematic concerns and and the clusters commitment to the appoint a lead organization for each. National Plan. Esguerra also gave a DCMI will head the AMC in DOPIM short orientation on Outcome-Impact while SAC-Pagadian, Service and Gitib will lead the advocacies on CC-DRR, Orientation for the participants.

PMPI presses for the closure of Padcal mining operations

Father Oliver Castor, PMPI Advocacy Officer on Mining Concerns, explained during the hearing that among the laws violated by Philex were the Solid Waste Management Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and even the Mining Act of 1995. He added, In fact, they even violated their own ISO 14000 certification, referring to the standards set by the well-known international organization that helps companies mitigate the effects of their operations on the environment. Former Commission on Elections chief Atty. Christian Monsod of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP), Alfie Pulumbaret of MASIPAG, Fenny Cosico of AGHAM, Oftacio Manalo of Pangasinan Federation of Irrigators Association, and Tuba, Benguet Mayor Florencio Bentrez, all supported PMPIs position. Castor said the Padcal mining disasater last year could have been avoided had the government been more careful and discerning in issuing mining permits and environmental clearances. If only they had been more stringent in guaranteeing the safety of each and every mining operation they give the go-signals to, Castor added. During the hearing, Senator Sergio Osmea asked the management of Philex to allow civil society organizations, as assisted by government

Philex Watch

IN A POSITION paper submitted to the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Misereor Partnership Incorporated (PMPI) called for the closure of the project of Philex Mining Corporation in Padcal, Benguet. The said statement, submitted in the occasion of the Senate hearing on the Philex Mining Waste Spill, also comes with the results of the case studies on the mining operations of Philex in Benguet and the proposed mining project in Tampakan, South Cotabato as contained in a book entitled RAVAGED: Philippine Environmental Woes.

Castor confers with supporters before the start of the Senate hearing

agencies, to conduct an investigation and collection of samples inside their compound for laboratory testing. Their representatives agreed to Osmeas proposal. Aside from demanding the closure of the Philex-Padcal project, PMPIs position paper also called for the overhaul of the countrys framework on the mining industry. Clearly, the statement asserted, a review of our mining policies and standards needs to be done. Unless we revise our mining laws and policies, the Padcal Disaster will be repeated. Let us not repeat this part of history. The continuing disregard on the part of Philex, and the monumental failure of government agencies in the exercise of

their constitutional mandate to protect and defend the national economy and patrimony further solidified our resolve to demand for the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and for it to be be replaced with a new law that is more responsive to the call of the times. We fervently hope that the recent tragedies in Padcal and Semirara, and the potential dangers surrounding other mining projects will be enough to make this government stop its penchant for irresponsible commercial mining. If they wont heed this call, they better expect an avalanche of problems that these projects will cause, Castor concluded. The book RAVAGED was published by the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action. ###

Caring for the Earth, Saving our Mindanao Environment

AT THE beginning of time, God created the heavens and the earth. And God saw everything that he had made, and, indeed it was very good (Gen. 1:27,31). On 22 April 2013, Earth Day, we ask the crucial question: Are we as human beings created in Gods image properly taking care of the earth that God has made for us? In truth we are deeply disturbed by the present condition of our earth. We are especially concerned with our own Mindanao environment and its rapid degradation. integrity of Gods creation and to the rights Mindanao Ecological Status Moral and Political Imperatives Climate change and global We are all, indeed, stewards of of future generations. We commend local warming have highlighted the the environment. It is to all of us that government officials who stand by this ban devastating effects of environmental God the Creator of all things addressed despite political and economic pressures; 3. We urge government to ban all degradation in Mindanao. They are the command to care for the earth and logging in watersheds and other protected causing extreme weather changes. everything in it (see Gen. 1:28, Gen. areas in Mindanao; Droughts and floods, unusual frequent 2:15, Ps. 8:6). Fundamental, moral and 4. We urge capable NGOs and heavy rains, typhoons Sendong and social principles that must guide and concerned government agencies to make a Pablo as well as earlier typhoons in direct our behavior and action flow definitive and undisputed study and testing Mindanao in the past decade are not from the primordial biblical principle. on GMOs and on the use of herbicides and simply the usual happenings of nature. In the use of biotechnology, in the pesticides in small time agriculture and They are effects of environmental application of the advances of science in big agri-business enterprises as well as degradation, the work mostly of and technology to exploit our natural on their long-term effects on health, soil, human hands. Developed countries resources, human rights must always be water, and air; 5. We urge the concerned are mainly responsible for the emission protected, health must be safeguarded, government agencies to design and of carbon dioxide and methane into and the common good must be implement master plans on the the atmosphere that causes climate promoted (see Pontifical Council for rehabilitation and development of river change and global warming. But Justice and Peace, Compendium of basins in Mindanao with short term and the degradation of our Mindanao the Social Doctrine of the Church, long term solutions to the problems of soil environment that worsens the effects of 2004, Chapter X, Safeguarding the erosion, the degradation of our waterways, climate change and global warming is Environment, nos. 451-87). These flooding, the destruction of lives and mainly due to human factor. are the moral and social principles in properties. 6. We call upon all government Environmental issues are considering the many environmental legion. Among them are: irresponsible issues in Mindanao. From these we leaders and agencies, as political stewards logging and fishing; mining; poor make a judgment on some burning of the environment, to review and revise, if necessary, all laws and regulations that waste management; massive landslide issues that now confront us. are not in accord with moral and social 1. All forms of mining, logging, and continuing soil erosion; pollution principles, and rigidly strict in their of our air, rivers, lakes and seas; lack fishing, farming, agri-business (such as implementation. of comprehensive rehabilitation plantations), and biotechnology, that do not 7. Aware that doing small things and development of river basins; safeguard the environment, do not protect have cumulative and significant results, we health and human rights are, objectively, commit ourselves to do our own share in indiscriminate and inappropriate social sins; caring for the integrity of Gods creation land use; inadequate energy sources 2. Unless we are given and irresponsible consumption; incontrovertible proof that open pit mining through doable means available to us, such questionable government policies is not destructive of the environment, does as proper waste management, responsible and their implementation; violation not endanger health and water resources, use of water resources, energy conservation, tree planting, and raising the consciousness of human rights; and corruption. We and is respectful of ancestral domains of parishioners regarding the environment. bring all these forcefully to the attention and human rights, we shall continue to May our appeal be heard and condemn and ban it as inimical to the of our political leaders. our actions blessed by the Lord of all This was signed by the Bishops of Kidapawan, Marbel, creation through the intercession of Digos and Cotabato last April 15, 2013 Mary our Mother.

Featured Story

A Pastoral Statement of KIDMADICO Bishops on Earth Day

Amidst challenges, Task Forces carry on

Thematic Concerns

THE FIRST meeting of the three PMPI Task Forces was held in Quezon City last January 29-30, 2013 to gather the members of each TF and come up with leveled-off understanding on the roles of the task force members, their expectations as well as deliverables at the end of implementing PMPIs Three-Year Strategic Plan. The said plan was reviewed by the TF members and detailed implementation of the plans was drafted using the Outcome-Impact Orientation (OIO) Framework introduced in the same meeting. The task forces on the three The same topics (national Libmanan, interesting and informative thematic concerns namely Peace, conference and PMP framework) conversation was shared on farmer-led Sustainable Agriculture and Climate focusing on the CC-DRR were tackled development and sustainable lifestyle Change-Disaster Risk Reduction & by the members of the TF on 26 April as the group started to gather exchange Management were established after 2013 during the second TF meeting. information for the concept paper they GA Resolutions upholding the creation As the task forces aim to increase the plan to put together for the said topics of these implementing mechanisms number of experts able to provide in the coming months. were approved during the PMPIs 3rd knowledge and skills on the three In the NCC meeting held last General Assembly (GA) held in REGION TASK FORCES Baguio City last February 2012. Peace SusAg CCA-DRRM (See Table for the Composition of Luzon Gaston Z. Ortigas Sibol ng Agham at TAO-Pilipinas the Task Forces) Peace Institute Teknolohiya (SIBAT) It should be noted that (GZOPI) the meeting also became a venue where members expressed their Visayas Pax Christi Pilipinas Multisectoral Alliance for Social Action Centercommitment to the tasks given Development (MUAD) Borongan to them. While FORGE joined Mindanao Mindanao Peoples Inter-Diocesan Sustainable Notre Dame of the TF for CC-DRR during the Caucus (MPC) Agriculture Network Kidapawan College first meeting, the representative (IDSANET) Community Extension had to withdraw on 4 February Services (NDKC-CES) 2013 because of administrative concerns she had to take on in addition thematic concerns among the network 25-27 February 2013, the following to her current work assignments. On members, criteria for the selection of the clusters have confirmed their interest to 27 February 2013, during the NCC training participants were identified. carry out discussions on the Framework meeting in Antipolo, the Director In addition, topics on community- Agreement on Bangsamoro: of SAC-Borongan was appointed by based CC-DRR approach were KIDMACO, DOPIM, CABUSTAM, Central Visayas to represent the Visayas carefully chosen as well as the resource PANAY, ZAMBASULI, DAVAO, NCRRegion in the TF for CC-DRR. persons who will facilitate the topics National (done), Central Visayas, and The second meeting of the TF were identified to ensure increased NCR-Urban. on Peace was held on 1 March 2013 at appreciation and competence in their On the other hand, several the PMP Office in QC. The members field. Initial ideas on the establishment clusters aim to conduct local trainings discussed the design of the national of the quick relief fund and setting up on the thematic concerns this year. conference on peace-building as well as the disaster quick response team as a The NL, Panay, and Davao clusters will the content and the process of drafting mechanism to facilitate the provision of hold seminars on SusAg while Peacethe peace framework of PMP. It should help to disaster-affected areas were also building cluster-level trainings will be be noted that a TF member continues to discussed. organized by NCR-National, DOPIM, be involved in efforts to push for justice Likewise, the TF on SusAg and KIDMACO. The NCR-Urban, and peace in Sabah and support the met last 11 March 2013 to plan the Davao, and NCR-National clusters, call for continued peace negotiations cluster-level training on SusAg. Joined meanwhile, decided to conduct CCbetween the GPH and the MNLF. by another SusAg expert from SAC- DRR seminars. ###

Tao Muna, Hindi Mina

Cover Story

Groups demand human rights be top priority over environmental destruction

To dramatize their stance on these mining issues, the group locked down the head office of Mines and Geosciences Bureau in North Avenue and marched to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The group demanded a moratorium on mining activities in the country and that the human rights be prioritized over mining. The Tao Muna-Hindi Mina campaign seeks to put at center stage large-scale destructive mining as a major electoral issue that candidates need to respond to, said Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines. But even before and beyond elections, candidates as well as government itself must be able to heed the peoples demand for an end to largescale destructive mining. Noting the different agenda of electoral candidates specifically at the local level, anti-mining groups reminded the future leaders to prioritize the social issues being experienced by mining-affected communities and victims. Judy A. Pasimio of LILAK Purple Action for Indigenous Womens Rights said: We are at this point where mining is no longer just an issue

A DAY after the International Earth Day, about 200 activists from church, human rights, and environment groups launched the Tao Muna, Hindi Mina campaign in time for the May elections to remind the mid-term electoral candidates to take a firm stand on different mining issues that have plagued the country. in mining affected areas as well as put an end to largescale destructive mining in the country. In addition, they believe that it is time to seriously consider the Alternative Minerals Management Bill as a just resolution to the conflict engendered by the current corporate-biased, exploitative, unjust mining policy. Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, a coalition of communities and organizations that call for a new policy on mining stated: We challenge the candidates to take a stand on mining. At the national level, we are campaigning against senatoriables who have interests in mining and who we believe will push for their agenda to promote pro-mining policies. Among the candidates mentioned were Cynthia Villar (own Queensberry Mining directly involved in the King-king copper-gold project in Compostella Valley), Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara (member of the board of directors of Aurora Pacific Ecozone and Freeport Authority-APECO), Richard Gordon (independent director of Atlas Mining Corporation), and Rep. Jack Enrile from Cagayan where anti-mining advocates were threatened and some killed, he explained. ###

among environmentalists. Mining is a human rights issue. The different forms of human rights violations being experienced by the women, men and children especially from the indigenous communities in mining areas, need to be recognized and addressed by the government and those who are wanting to join the government through this election. Specifically, the groups demand that justice be given to families and victims of human rights violations