Garbage crisis looms in Cantilan

(photo by: kantilang.i.ph)

CANTILAN – A garbage crisis looms in this town of 30,000 as the municipal dump in Magasang was ordered closed by the barangay council after its repeated demands to the town government to build a promised recycling facility fell on deaf ears.

The Barangay Council of Magasang issued the notice of closure after the municipal government , sources said, reneged on its promise to build a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the open dump located along the Magasang-Consuelo road.

As a result of the closure of the eight-year-old dump , the scheduled daily rounds of the town’s garbage truck have lately been erratic , forcing Cantilangnons to bury or burn their trash in their own backyards.

The situation worsened , sources said, during the Christmas break , when garbage collection halted for days. READ FULL STORY>>>

41 Municipalities on PNP Election Watch List and 2 Partisan Armed Groups in Caraga

January 13, 2010 | mindanao.com

by: striker_jem

Butuan – The Police Regional Office 13 after validation have identified 41 municipalities in Caraga Region including Butuan City under its election watch list.

PNP Chief Jesus Versoza in today’s visit to Butuan said, attention by the JSCC’s will be focused on these election watch list of areas because there might be a possibility of violence.

Concerns will likewise focus on the effort of neutralization of criminal elements especially in the possession of guns by two partisan armed groups in Caraga Region. . . .

. . . . .Also placed under category 2 are Malimono, Claver and Sison in Surigao del Norte; Lingig, Hinatuan, Liangga, Tagbina, Barobo, San Agustin Bayabas, Mayatas, Carrascal, Cantilan and Lanuza in Surigao del Sur. . . .

READ FULL STORY>>>

Suspected NPA rebels burn logging equipment in Surigao

 LANUZA, Surigao del Sur- Four units of rakers reportedly owned by Surigao Development Corporation (SUDECOR) were allegedly burned by about 10 armed men Friday afternoon in Barangay Pakwan in Lanuza town Surigao del Sur.

At around 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Lanuza police reportedly received a text from personnel of Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion informing them that armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army’s Front Committee 30 led by a certain Puma burned the equipment.

Lanuza police reportedly conducted initial investigation by interviewing a witness, whose name was withheld and who is reportedly an employee of SUDECOR who witnessed the incident.

The witness reportedly said that the armed men were demanding the stoppage of the logging operations of SUDECOR.

The witness also reportedly said that due to security and safety reasons the incident was not immediately reported to the authorities.

Lanuza police together with Army soldiers have reportedly launched follow-up investigations on the incident. Trini Velasco, ABS-CBN Butuan

Gov’t projects slower increase in mineral production for 2010

 Posted on 10:18 PM, January 03, 2010 | businessworld.com

THE GOVERNMENT expects the value of mineral production to increase by 10%-20% this year, compared to the 39% rise recorded in 2009, the chief of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said last week.

“I think [mineral production value] will be better [over the 2009 amount] because of new mines. If only a 10% increase, we can do it,” Mines bureau Director Horacio C. Ramos told reporters. READ FULL STORY>>>

5 mining projects on stream in Q1

businessmirror.com.ph

Written by Jennifer A. Ng | Monday, 04 January 2010 21:32

AT least five mining projects will come on stream in the first quarter of 2010 with a combined investments of $185 million, a senior official of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said on Monday.

“These are not ‘big-ticket’ projects but they are significant, as they will contribute to the projected increase in minerals production for [2010],” the official told reporters in an interview on Monday.

One cement production project owned by San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang and four direct ore-shipping projects will operate within January to March this year.

Eagle Cement Corp., which will put up a facility in Akle in San Idelfonso, Bulacan, could spend as much as $160 million for the project. The project is targeting to service areas north of Manila. A company official earlier revealed that Eagle Cement is eyeing the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.

The cement plant is expected to produce 1.5 million metric tons (MMT) of cement, or about 35.2 million bags yearly. The plant’s daily output is expected to reach 4,000 MT, or around 100,000 bags of cement.

Four mining firms, meanwhile, are eyeing to go into direct shipping of nickel ore. These are Century Peak Nickel Corp., Oriental Synergy, Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corp., and the mining cooperative based in Surigao del Norte, the Minahang Bayan ng Mamamayan sa Dinagat Island.

Century Peak Nickel Corp. will spend as much as $10 million. The company has the capacity to ship out 1 MMT of nickel annually. Oriental Synergy’s Surigao Nickel project, which has a capacity to ship out 1.8 MMT of nickel annually, will spend about $6 million.

Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corp. has an annual output of 1.2 MMT of nickel and is investing $4.5 million for its venture. Minahang Bayan ng Mamamayan sa Dinagat Island has already spent $4 million in its bid to ship out 1 MMT of nickel annually.

Recently, MGB projected a 20-percent increase in the minerals production value in 2010. Mining officials said the agency has yet to finalize the year-end report but could safely project a 20-percent increase in the value of minerals production.

20 speeches that moved a nation

This ground-breaking audio book project brings back to life twenty of the most significant speeches in Philippine history, representing some of the most thrilling and shameful moments in our nation’s life.

With the creative collaboration of some of the country’s leading artistic talents, this history-making project aims to achieve bringing the past to life in order to pave the way for a richer understanding of where we came from and where our country should aim to go.

Directed by Peque Gallaga, and including the voice talents of stage and screen personalities such as Zeneida Amador, Janno Gibbs, Eric Quizon, Bart Guingona, Tessie Tomas, among many others, the project features the speeches of National Heroes such as Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio; of Presidents Sergio Osmena and Manuel L. Quezon; of noted nationalists Lope K. Santos, Claro M. Recto and Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo; of heroic resisters of the martial law dictatorship Fr. Pacifico Ortiz, SJ, Felixberto Olalia, Sr., Chino Roces; and even revolutionaries such as Jose Ma. Sison, not to mention the sly rhetoric of Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada. “Twenty Speeches that Moved a Nation” was launched on September 7, 2001 at the RCBC Plaze with Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo; Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda-Leviste; Cesar Virata; Mr. Enrique Zobel as Guests of Honor, and representatives of many of the distinguished personalities included in the collection.

1. Jose Rizal: “Homage to Luna and Hidalgo” June 25, 1884. Read by Audie Gemora

2. Emilio Aguinaldo: Pagpapayo bago sumapit ang labanan sa Imus ika-3, ng Setyembre, 1896. Read by Janno Gibbs

3. Andres Bonifacio: “Manifesto Sa Marahas Na Manga Anak Nang Bayan” Pebrero o Marso, 1897. Read by Mario O’Hara

…

13. Fr. Pacifico Ortiz S.J.: “A prayer for the nation.” January 26, 1970. Read by Peque Gallaga

Did you know that Father Pacifico Ortiz is a native of Cantilan.

source: http://www.platypus.ph/prod_serv/20_speeches.htm

bangon kantilang

by clipse0318 @ youtube.com

URGENT CALL FOR MASSIVE ACTION AGAINST THE MOA EXECUTED BY AJO.NET & MARCVENTURES MINING

DEAR ALL CARCANMADCARLANONS

Let us flood AJO.net Holdings Inc. with information and hard facts about MMDC, our long standing opposition against mining in Cantilan, illegal/invalid assignment of mining right (from VTC to MMDC), absence of permit from the local sanggunians (the provincial board and the sangguniang bayans of Carrascal, Cantilan and Madrid and business permit, opposition of the NIA on the ground that the area covered by the MPSA of marcventure is within the existing national and communal irrigation systems, e.g. cantilan irrigation system, buyaan communal irrigation system (madrid), panikian communal irrigation sysem (carrascal) and cantilan-cabas-an communal irrigation system (cantilan), the proximity of the mining production area is only 4 kilometers from the main dam/intake tunnel of NIA-Catilan Irrigation System which apparently will pose threat/damage to the existing irrigation system and food security, false statements contained in the Environmental Work Program - silent about the existing irrigation systems, dams and irrigated areas in violation of pertinent provisions of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942), and the restriction provided in par. II (10) of the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) which manifestly mandate that: “The proponent  SHALL DELINEATE AND EXCLUDE from its mining operations ALL AREA within its MPSA, THAT ARE DECLARED AS WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE. The total mining area of MMDC (4,799 has.) is within the Proclaimed Watershed Forest Reserve covered by Proclamation 1747 signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 23, 2009. Also, we inform AJO.net Holdings Inc. that a case for the cancellation of the MPSA is now pending at the Office of the Secretary, DENR, Diliman, QC.

tinty57@yahoo.com

Listed AJO.net to sell out to nickel mining company

AJO.net Holdings Inc. on Wednesday said it will be sold to Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. (MMDC). In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, AJO.net said that it entered into a memorandum of agreement with MMDC for the possible purchase of the company for P1.3 billion.

“Subject to the favorable results of their respective due diligence and the execution of the implementing agreements, the MMDC Shareholders shall assign all outstanding shares worth P1.3 billion in consideration for the issuance of new AJO shares,” the listed company said. READ MORE>>>

Local residence Celebrated 30th day vigil against Mining

Cantilan, Surigao del Sur - Mass officiated by Father Pit Ubalde in the makeshift tent installed by the anti-mining multi-sectoral group in Triangle(Junction), Cantilan, Surigao del Sur to mark the 30^th vigil against mining. The multi-sectoral group is headed by the lady Mayor of Cantilan Tomasa Guardo and the CanCarMadCarLan Baywatch Foundation.

Since November 16, the community launched a local checkpoint against Marcventures Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) to prevent the company from transporting mineral ores to the nearby wharf.

Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, a nearby town of Cantilan has 2 large-scale mining operations controlled by the Pimentels’, the Political clan of Surigao del Sur. “Carrascal mining operations is a concrete evidence of how it ruins the lives and livelihood of the local people. Our rich coastal sanctuaries are already  silted, Our water and irrigations are murky. They are killing people.”- Sister Lydia Lascano, ICM, Coordinator of SAC-Tandag narrated inside the makeshift tent.

Cantilan is the food basket of Surigao del Sur. “We have vast tract of rice fields and abundant marine resources. These are our gold in Cantilan not the ore beneath our rich agricultural lands”, Mayor Tomasa Guardo, a strong staunch against mining in her town, who also issued a municipal resolution not to allow Marcventures, an LGU power of asserting their right to say “No” under the local government code of 1991.   

Tinty Irriberi, Acting President of Baywatch Foundation described that the vigil is a 24/7 commitment of the local people, 24 hours in 7 days. “We will be here until the mining permit of MMDC is canceled. We have already filed a cancellation of MMDC’s MPSA permit in the office of the Secretary of DENR last June 24, 2009 but until today we have not received any letter from the said office”

(photos by tinty, kantilang.i.ph)

Updates from

Carl Cesar C. Rebuta

Team Leader

LRC-CdO, Regional Office

2nd cantilan surfing open

Here are the results from the 2nd Cantilan Surfing Open held last December 16-18, 2009 at the LG spot, Brgy. San Pedro and in Baluarte both in Cantilan. Sponsored by LG Swash.

Open Division

Champion - Dionesio Espejon (Siargao)

1st Runner up - Bonifacio Figuron (Siargao)

2nd Runner up - Philip Jade Apareja (Lanuza)

3rd Runner up - Clinton (Lanuza)

 (photo by: kantilang.i.ph)

Junior Division

Champion  - Danny Coldura (Siargao)

1st Runner up - Pete Catolay  (Siargao)

2nd Runner up - Hiram Ariate (Lanuza)

3rd Runner up - Joel Rey Casano (Lanuza)

  (photo by: kantilang.i.p)

LG Spot, Brgy. San Pedro  (photo by: kantilang.i.ph)

LG Swash would like to thank the following sponsors:

Barangay Council of San Pedro, The WAVE Cafe, Cantilan Bank, Valspeak Bar, ALARICS Internet Cafe, MG & AM Hardware, Espinola Store, WSS RTW & Accesories, Solar Lodge & Beach Resort,  W & C Beach Resort, Cantilan Shell Filling Station, UPP Associates

we are one! act now!

 CarCanMadCarLa-KSA Riyadh Chapter and Eccmcl Portal joins the call to stop mining operations in CCMCL area. 

2nd Cantilan Surfing Open

LG Spot, Brgy. San Pedro, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur 

December 16-18 2009

did you know?

Cantilan residents install checkpoint to prevent mining firm from transporting ore

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/19 November) —  Hundreds of  residents of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur led by Mayor Tomasa Guardo  installed a checkpoint at the triangle along the highway crossing in Barangay Pag-antayan Monday morning to prevent a mining firm from transporting nickel ore to what city officials say is an “illegal stockyard in Barangay Consuelo. The checkpoint, to be manned by police and volunteers 24 hours a day, is intended to ensure that Marcventures Mining & Development Corporation (MMDC) cannot transport ore to its Consuelo stockyard,

The stockyard violates municipal ordinance 18-2008 which prohibits the construction of stockyards for storing mineral ore within 500 meters of the shoreline. The stockyard was constructed without permit from the municipality, a press statement from the CarCanMadCarLan Baywatch Foundation said. >>>READ FULL STORY

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