Catanduanes Forum

NPAs back anticoal mining fight
By: Juan Escandor Jr. Inquirer Southern Luzon September 05, 2009

NAGA CITY, Philippines — Communist guerillas said they were joining opposition to coal mining in Catanduanes, calling on the people of the province to use “all forms” of protests to stop coal extraction.
In a statement sent by e-mail, Theresa Magtangol, spokesperson of the Nerissa San Juan Command of the New People’s Army in Catanduanes, urged Catanduanes people to continue opposing the mining operations of Monte Oro Resources Energy Inc. (Morei), a company partly owned by businessman and close presidential ally Enrique Razon through Surestre Properties.
Razon is also a close friend of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
The NPA statement asked the people of Catanduanes to use all forms of action even as, it said, the NPA command “is open to unite with all sectors” to oppose the mining of coal.
The coal exploration and mining had been approved by the Department of Energy on 7,000 hectares of land in the towns of Panganiban, San Andres and Caramoran. The coal deposit was estimated at P6.2 billion.
Another 8,000 ha in the towns of Viga and Panganiban, covering 14 villages, have been approved for coal exploration and mining by the energy department. The areas have an estimated high-grade coal deposit worth about P9.4 billion.
The areas identified by the energy department for coal mining encroach on the remaining 60,000 ha of Catanduanes’ forest land, according to opponents of coal mining.
A report by provincial consultant Manuel V. Mapa said disturbance of the ground surface and forested areas during mining operations would increase soil erosion and cause flooding in the towns of Viga, Panganiban, Bagamanoc, San Miguel, Bato, Manambrag in San Andres, and Hitoma and Milaviga in Caramoran.
Mine tailings would also endanger waterways and the sea.
Mapa said coal mining would leave the forests open to massive exploitation from slash and burn farmers, “farm-and-run” settlers, and illegal loggers, which would result in the loss of forest cover capable of absorbing 8.7 million tons of carbon dioxide.
“Mining in the watershed area of Hitoma River will affect Suweco (Sunwest Water and Electricity Co.) operations and deprive power consumers an estimated P20 million per year in savings,” Mapa said.
Suweco operates mini hydro power plants in the areas covered by the mining permit.
NPA rebels also condemned the planned coal mining because of the environmental destruction it could bring to the fragile ecosystem of the island province.
They alleged that the government would use force if only to push the mining activities in which, they said, the police, military, and paramilitary forces are to be mobilized.