Surigao del Sur Town Fights Big Bucks Mining Company!

CarCanMadCarLan Baywatch Foundation
Cantilan, Surigao del Sur 8317
Philippines

Press Release

November 17, 2009

Cantilan, Surigao del Sur-  About 2,000 thousand Cantilangnons converged at the triangle in the highway crossing in Brgy. Pag-antayan Monday morning, November 16, 2009 to install a checkpoint aimed at preventing (Marcventures Mining & Development Corporation) from transporting its ore to its illegally constructed stockyard in Brgy. Consuelo. It will be manned round the clock by the local police and volunteers.

The stockyard which is on the shoreline violates local ordinance No. 18-2008 prohibiting the construction of stockyards for the purpose of storing mineral ore within 500 meters of the shoreline and was constructed without a permit from the municipality.

Before the rally, at 8:30 a.m, Mayor Guardo and LGU officials and staff held a flag ceremony at the town kiosk. Thereafter, the mayor led a one kilometer march to the triangle passing through the MMDC offices. She was joined by around 500 placard bearing fisher folks, farmers, religious groups, teachers and students from Saint Michael’s College.

Waiting at the triangle were more farmers and students from Surigao del Sur Polytechnic College and Cantilan National High School. A mass was held by Fr. Pete Ubalde. He was assisted by priests from Carrascal - Fr. Paeng Batoliño; Madrid - Fr. Bebot Pastera; Parang - Fr. Ritchelle Espinola; and visiting priest, Fr. Tito Maratas who grew up in Brgy. Palasao, a rice-growing community..

Fr. Pete in his homily appealed to the parishioners to be honest, sincere and open about their “anti-mining” stand. He also challenged the LGU to sustain the activity.

A program followed where the mayor exhorted everyone to join the cause, as it was the cause of the municipality. Vicente Iriberri, Vice President, Baywatch talked on the violations and inactions of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) and challenged all those who wanted to join the 2010 elections to unite and not get into the trap of the mining companies to ‘divide and rule’ by pushing for two anti-mining groups to run for local elections.

He also emphasized that the 2010 elections is neither about personalities, nor partisan politics but about Cantilan, the watershed, and life. Datu James Bat-ao spoke on the violation of IP rights, while Amping Ortega, President, Surigao del Surigao Irrigators Federation (SURIF) spoke about the opposition of the NIA and the Irrigators’ Association.

Gen. William K. Hotchkiss III (Ret.), President, Cantilan Bank, described the activity as “People Power in Action” He also shared about the role of a Cantilangnon during the EDSA revolution.

He challenged everyone, if willing, to die for the cause as he is not only committed to support the cause in his personal capacity but the resources of the bank as well if only to stop mining in Cantilan.

Hon. Junjun Sunga for his part, declared that “Cantilan is worth dying for” borrowing the words of Ninoy Aquino.

The activity is the first of a series of activities planned by the Multi-Sectoral Environmental Protection Task Force led by Mayor Tomasa Guardo to fight the mining company. Earlier in the week, Baywatch launched its Information & Education Campaign and aptly titled its slogan, “Bangon KanTilang, Mina Hunongon, Agus sa Tubig Padajunon.”

Although MMDC was issued a “Notice to Proceed” with its developmental activities by the Mines Geosciences Bureau Director Horacio C. Ramos, it does not have the necessary permits from the Local Government Units nor does it have endorsements from the LGUs, necessary requirements in the Philippine Mining Act. It also violated pertinent provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly Sections 26, Duty of National Government Agencies in the Maintenance of Ecological Balance and Section 27, Prior Consultations Required.

Cantilan, Carrascal and Madrid LGUs issued resolutions opposing the MPSA of MMDC because it is located in the watersheds of the rivers that supply the three towns’ irrigation systems and domestic water supply.

The Sanggunian Panlalawigan refused to endorse their MPSA for the same reasons.

The Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) granted MMDC mandates the mining company to delineate and exclude from its mining operation all areas within its MPSA that area declared as Watershed Forest Reserve.

On March 23, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo issued Proclamation 1747 declaring that area where the mining site of MMDC is situated as Critical Watershed Forest Reserve.

MMDC is the respondent to the administrative case filed by the Irrigators’ Association, Baywatch, and Lovers of Nature Foundation with the DENR for violations of the Philippine Mining Act

Surigao Critical Watershed Protected Area Encroached by Mining Company

alyansatigilmina.net/

Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, September 7, 2009: Marcventures Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) conducted its initial Tree Earth Balling activity on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 without the knowledge of the PAMB in an apparent collusion with Community Environment & Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Iniego Collantes who is board elected PASu.

MMDC’s Mineral Product Sharing Agreement (MPSA) is within the 43,601 hectare Critical Watershed area declared by Presidential Proclamation 1747 on March 23, 2009. The proclamation explicitly mandated that: “The DENR shall immediately undertake the final survey and delineation on the ground of the boundaries of the watershed. This critical watershed shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of DENR and shall be managed in accordance with the provisions of RA 7586 or the NIPAS Act of 1992. For this purpose, DENR shall create its Management Board within six (6) months.” The board was created on June 10, 2009 at the Solar Lodge in Brgy. San Pedro, at a meeting conducted by DENR Regional Technical Director M.L. Eludo on behalf of Regional Executive Director Edilberto Buiser. READ MORE>>>

227th araw nan cantilan

Cantilan…

There are two tales of how Cantilan of old got its name. According to the first version, Cantilan, originally known as “Can Tilang” derived its name from Tilang, an empty sea shell of a “tekyobo.” The second version said that the place was named after a woman named Tilang. Of the two versions however, the first one is more popular.

In 1806, Fray Miguel de los Arcos completed the construction of the “Cota” better known as Baluarte de Señor San Miguel. There were five recorded attacks of the Moros in Cantilan but each intended depredation was foiled because of fortification. The natives used different warning tools such as tambuli, church bells, _______ and others. The “Cota” was installed with swivelguns and cannons ready for Moro attacks. Natives believed that they were being protected by the Patron Saint San Nicolas de Tolentino whose icon was believed to disappear from its place in church altar every time Moro raid occurred.

In 1856 the people did not have any portent that a disaster would befall them and their town. They would not be bothered by the cumulus clouds as these were accepted as natural signs of “Amihan”. Because they did not interpret these signs as warnings for intending calamity, they slept soundly at night. But in the evening of October 14, 1856, a hurricane from the north which turned over east and south increased to an intensity that tidal waves changed the whole town into a sea. The result of this catastrophe was that with the exception of _______ strong house and two “camarines” every thing was swept away. On October 16, 1856, Cantilan became a wasteland but not obliterated from the memories of the people.

Then the survivors crossed the Cantilan river to the northeast and northwest forming the present districts of Linintian and Magosilom of the modern Cantilan.

One very important event in Philippine history happened in Cantilan during the formation of the revolutionary government of General Emilio Aguinaldo, when Cantilan declared a neutral government on Feb. 10, 1899. With the arrival of the Gonzales brothers, this produced a human drama of _____, tears and blood which Cantilan shared. It also shared the ephemeral glory of the Philippine Revolution when the Filipino Flag was hoisted at the town tribunal.

Modern Cantilan is known as “Cradle of Towns” . The mother town of Carrascal, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza, Cantilan prides itself with the so-called “Cantilan Spirit”, which is “nothing is impossible in Cantilan.”

Source: Heritage Alley
In Celebration of the Philippine Centennial 1898-1998
Tandag - The First Capital of Caraga

Caraga mining generates 20,000 jobs

BUTUAN CITY – The presence of major mining companies in the Caraga Region has generated an estimated 20,000 jobs and millions of pesos of tax revenues to the local coffers.

In full support to the government’s employment and income generation, these big mining companies also programmed several social projects such as livelihood and education projects aimed at helping the far-flung villages in the region, it was also learned.

Statistical records gathered from the Mines-Geo Sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and Department of Energy (DoE) stated that eight of these major mining corporations have contributed to the government’s economic and development program in Mindanao, particularly in the Caraga Region.

The mining corporations involved in uplifting the economic condition in the countryside are: The Philsaga Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur; the SRMI Metals in Agusan del Norte; the Taganito Mining; Platinum Group; and Oriental Synergy Mining, both in Surigao del Norte; and CTP Construction and Mining Corporation; Benguet Mining Corporation; and Carrascal Nickel Corporation (CNC), all in Surigao del Sur. READ MORE>>>

3 killed in Surigao del Sur ambush

 By Trini Velasco, ABS-CBN Caraga

CARMEN, Surigao del Sur - Unidentified armed men ambushed a 16-wheeler truck owned by Surigao Development Corporation, this city, Friday, and killed at least three people.

4th Infanty Division spokesman Maj. Michelle Anayron identified the fatalities as company guard Paterno Eting, 30, Jun Montenegro, 32, and Kristine Salahay, 10. He said a passenger, 53-year-old Audencio Angcog, was wounded in the ambush.

Anayron said the truck was on its way to Pakwan, Lanuza when 20 armed men strafed the vehicle.

Security officers are now pursuing the suspects. view source

P220-million program benefits 44 Surigao Sur barangays

BUTUAN CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is implementing the P220-million Kalayaan sa Barangay Program (KBP) in the 44 barangay (villages) of Surigao del Sur – particularly those in far-flung areas.

Despite some hindrances, the AFP, through its unit – the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade (IB), remains steadfast in its effort to improve the delivery of services to the 44 villages with a P5-million allocation per village.

“Our troops in that province are not for combat but as implementers of government projects to usher in peace and development in insurgency-prone areas,” said regional Army spokesman Maj. Mitchele B. Anayron Jr.

He said the area command chief of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (ID) ordered 401st Brigade commander Col. Danny Fabian to step up their peace and development projects in Surigao del Sur.

Grand Alumni Homecoming 2009

CHS-CNTS-CNSAT-SSIT-CNHS-SSPC
Grand Alumni Homecoming 2009

Caraga RTC court ransacked by robbers; losses nearly P150-T judiciary deposits

BUTUAN CITY- Nearly P150,000.00 cash money and jewelries deposited inside court premises as court exhibits and fiduciary deposits and other personal belongings were robbed by still unidentified robbers who ransacked the Regional Trial Court Branch 41 office situated at Herrera St., Cantilan, Surigao del Sur midnight of July 24, belated police reports reaching this region’s capital. READ FULL STORY>>>

mining CCMCL

View of Carrascal Bay from General Island, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur

 (photo taken last May 2009)

eCCMCL Portal joins the call

Photo shown below  taken during the March-Rally held at the Cantilan kiosk last April 27, 2009

LANDBANK to Finance Mini Hydro Power of Cantilan LGU

source: Landbank.com

The towns of Carrascal,Cantilan and Madrid in Surigao del Sur will soon benefit from the construction of a One Megawatt Sipangpang Mini Hydroelectric Power project of Cantilan LGU to be financed by LANDBANK thru the World Bank-funded Support for Strategic Local Development and Investment Project or S2LDIP.

The power generation project will complement the existing electricity requirement of about 12,500 households in the area at reduced rates. The project is also expected to generate additional income for Cantilan which the LGU can use to provide other basic services to its constituents and the protection and preservation of the watershed covering the Sipangpang Water Falls.

VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>

Bishop joins march against Surigao mining

CBCPnews.com

CANTILLAN, Surigao del Sur, April 29, 2009—During the recent celebration of World Earth Day, more than 1,000 residents from various towns and sectors of Surigao del Sur joined a three-kilometer march at the heart of this town to condemn mining operations in the area.

CBCP Vice President and Tandag bishop Nereo P. Odchimar joined the march and presided over the concelebrated mass held after the march.

The mining operations have threatened watersheds providing critical support to the province’s irrigation system, water supply and Cantilan’s proposed mini-hydro power project. To top it all, the proposed mining sites infringe upon the indigenous peoples’ ancestral lands. VIEW FULL ARTICLE>>

Officials say Cantilan is Surigao’s ‘no-mining town’

posted by Alden Pantaleon | 29 April 2009 | businessmirror.com.ph

SURIGAO DEL SUR—Officials here declared that Cantilan is a “no mining” town of this province, as an estimated 1,000 people staged a 4-kilometer march on Monday to condemn the entry of two mining firms in the locality.

Speaking at a rally in the town plaza, Cantilan Mayor Tomasa Guardo told protesters that “as long as I am the mayor, no mining will ever be approved in this municipality.” MORE HERE>>>

Multisectoral rally set vs 2 mining firms

Protests greet entry of mining firms in Cantilan

by by Alden Pantaleon/MindaNews

posted | Saturday, 25 April 2009 |by MINDANEWS.COM 

SURIGAO DEL SUR (MindaNews/25 April)  –  Hundreds of farmers, environmentalists, local government officials and religious groups from the southern towns of Madrid, Carrascal and Cantilan will stage a four-kilometer march from the National Irrigation Administration in Barangay Calagdaan to the municipal plaza of Cantilan to dramatize their opposition to the entry of two mining firms in the area.

Dubbed  “Alsa Martsa Para  sa Kinaiyahan” (Rise, March for the Environment),  the protest-march will culminate in a rally  at the town’s  kiosk  with Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar as keynote speaker. 

Tinty Iriberri, one of the organizers, said Cantilan Mayor Thomasa Guardo and retired Air force chief,  Lt.  Gen. William Hotchkiss, president of the Philippine Eagles Foundation, are expected to attend the rally.  

Organizers said protesters will call for the cancellation of the Mineral Product Sharing Agreements granted to Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) and Carac-an Development Corporation (CDC). VIEW FULL ARTICLE>>>

Surigao celebrates World Earth Day with “green economy”

posted by CBCPNews.com

TANDAG, Surigao del Sur, April 24, 2009—In support to the celebration of the World Earth Day, the Panalipdan Tubig Kinabuhi Surigao del Sur Farmers organized a march and rally to start their Green Generation Campaign on April 27, 2009.

Green Generation Campaign is a two year program initiating the establishment of a new green economy that frees people from poverty.

Organizers said that the event aims to promote the significance of the watershed to the livelihood of the people.

The march, dubbed as the “Alsa Martsa Para sa Kinaiyahan,” will start from Madrid to Cantilan.

MORE HERE>>>

Manganta ta! Manlibod ta!

“Malibod” by ZANDRO

source: Libaongon @ youtube.com

Stakeholders to conduct 5th Mining Summit in Caraga

Zamboanga City (PNA) – Collaborative efforts by public and private stakeholders to ensure sustainable and self-reliant mining communities will be the highlight of the scheduled two-day 5th Caraga Mining Summit.

The summit will be held at the Hotel Tavern Convention Hall in Surigao City from April 23 to 24.

The event is organized by the Caraga Chamber of Mines in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) and Community Relations Education and Development Officers (CREDO), a Caraga-based organization. MORE>>>

Proclamation no.1747

source: OfficeOfThePresident.gov.ph 

Proclamation no.1747 March 23, 2009

Declaring the portions of the public domain of Alamio, Buyaan, Carac-an, Panikian River and Sipangpang Falls, situated in the Municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan and Madrid, Province of Surigao del Sur and in the Municipalities of Jabonga, Santiago, and Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte, as watershed forest reserves.

VIEW FULL ARTICLE in PDF file 

Mining. Not in My Backyard

posted March 20, 2009 | daplinsabaybayon.blogspot.com 

History
Located in the Northeastern part of Mindanao, Cantilan is the second town from the border of the two Surigao provinces and is about 65 kilometers north of Tandag City, the capital of Surigao del Sur. It faces Lanuza Bay in the Pacific Ocean and is backed westward by the ore and used to be timber rich Diwata Mountains. Its boundaries are Carrascal to the North, Madrid to the South and Santiago, Agusan del Norte to the west. It has a total land area of 24,010 hectares, 71% of which is forested land and 29% classified as alienable and disposable land (A &D) of which 5,264 hectares is devoted to agriculture. It is a 4th class community and derives income mostly from rice farming, copra production and fishing from its 44 hectares of municipal water. Cantilan, Madrid and Carrascal as a group is identified as the food basket of the province. Cantilan and its neighboring towns is also the old home of Kantilan, the Philippine eagle, which was found injured in a falcata plantation in Cabangahan. READ FULL ARTICLE>>>