By Christine A. GaylicanInquirer Last updated 11:27pm (Mla time) 07/30/2006
Published on Page B6 of the July 31, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=12574
THE WATER SUBSIDIARY OF Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp., Aqua Atlas Inc., is negotiating with the provincial government of Cebu for a $65-million bulk water supply project that will address the increasing water requirement of the province.
Anglo Philippine Holdings chair Alfredo C. Ramos said during the company's annual stockholders meeting Friday that Aqua Atlas Inc. and the provincial government of Cebu were in talks for the supply of some 100,000 cubic meters of water a day to the Metro Cebu Water District.
Ramos said this project was expected to boost water supply to Metro Cebu by at least 40 percent.
The province of Cebu is currently experiencing a shortage in its potable water supply and is threatened by a possible salt water intrusion into its water supply in the near term.
Ramos said this project of Aqua Atlas would complement the Ayala Group's proposal to build the Carmen Bulk Water Supply project also in Cebu.
Preliminary discussions indicate that Aqua Atlas will supply the towns in the northern part of Cebu and the Ayala consortium, led by Manila Water Company Inc., will cover the southern part, Ramos added.
He said Aqua Atlas and the local government of Cebu had signed a memorandum of agreement providing for the holding of negotiations on the project. "This encourages Aqua Atlas to move forward and pursue further discussions," he added.
The water supply for the project will come from the company's Atlas Dam in Cebu. Under the prospective project, the company will install a pipe distribution network.
Of the estimated project cost, he said some $40 million would be earmarked for the water supply and the remaining $25 million would be spent for the installation of the pipe distribution network. The project will be financed through a combination of internally generated funds and from loans.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Study disputes ‘energy from waste’ myth
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul27/envi3.html
Malaya July 27, 2006
THE UK based Friends of the Earth (FoE) has released a fresh report questioning the myth that "energy from waste" produces green and renewable electricity and is part of the solution to climate change.
The report entitled "A Changing Climate for Energy from Waste" affirms that waste prevention is the beneficial option from a climate point of view, followed by reuse and recycling. Landfilling and incinerating waste are said to be the worse options.
Written for FoE by Dominic Hogg of the environmental research and consulting firm Eunomia, the report examines the climate impacts of "energy from waste," a term that encompasses a broad range of technologies that directly generates energy from waste.
A standard waste to energy incinerator, the study reveals, emits a third more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, for the electricity they produce than gas fired power stations.
According to the report, electricity-only incinerators in UK emit 33 per cent more fossil CO2 than gas fired power stations. It is predicted that such incinerators in 2020 will emit 78 per cent more fossil CO2 than gas fired power stations and only around 5 per cent less than coal-fired power stations.
"The research findings dispel the myth that waste incineration is good in terms of climate change. Waste and energy planners should access the report to guide them in critically appraising technologies that are being touted as magic solutions to the perennial waste and energy problems," said Manny Calonzo of the Global Alliance for Incinerators Alternatives (GAIA).
"By combining waste prevention, reduction and reuse of discards with recycling and composting, communities can substantially reduce emissions of persistent organic pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane," he said.
The FoE report asserts that it makes no sense to promote "energy from waste" technologies when there are better waste management options available, emphasizing that reusing and recycling are better in terms of climate and resource conservation.
The report recommends the phasing out of residual waste as the best thing to do from an environmental point of view, ensuring that all discards are reusable, recyclable or compostable. Residual waste is the waste that remains after reusing, recycling or composting.
The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 bans the incineration of municipal, biomedical and hazardous wastes, which posses emits toxic and poisonous fumes. While the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 requires the adoption of best environmental practices in ecological waste management excluding incineration.
Malaya July 27, 2006
THE UK based Friends of the Earth (FoE) has released a fresh report questioning the myth that "energy from waste" produces green and renewable electricity and is part of the solution to climate change.
The report entitled "A Changing Climate for Energy from Waste" affirms that waste prevention is the beneficial option from a climate point of view, followed by reuse and recycling. Landfilling and incinerating waste are said to be the worse options.
Written for FoE by Dominic Hogg of the environmental research and consulting firm Eunomia, the report examines the climate impacts of "energy from waste," a term that encompasses a broad range of technologies that directly generates energy from waste.
A standard waste to energy incinerator, the study reveals, emits a third more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, for the electricity they produce than gas fired power stations.
According to the report, electricity-only incinerators in UK emit 33 per cent more fossil CO2 than gas fired power stations. It is predicted that such incinerators in 2020 will emit 78 per cent more fossil CO2 than gas fired power stations and only around 5 per cent less than coal-fired power stations.
"The research findings dispel the myth that waste incineration is good in terms of climate change. Waste and energy planners should access the report to guide them in critically appraising technologies that are being touted as magic solutions to the perennial waste and energy problems," said Manny Calonzo of the Global Alliance for Incinerators Alternatives (GAIA).
"By combining waste prevention, reduction and reuse of discards with recycling and composting, communities can substantially reduce emissions of persistent organic pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane," he said.
The FoE report asserts that it makes no sense to promote "energy from waste" technologies when there are better waste management options available, emphasizing that reusing and recycling are better in terms of climate and resource conservation.
The report recommends the phasing out of residual waste as the best thing to do from an environmental point of view, ensuring that all discards are reusable, recyclable or compostable. Residual waste is the waste that remains after reusing, recycling or composting.
The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 bans the incineration of municipal, biomedical and hazardous wastes, which posses emits toxic and poisonous fumes. While the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 requires the adoption of best environmental practices in ecological waste management excluding incineration.
DENR okays more Kyoto protocol projects
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul27/envi2.html
Malaya July 27, 2006
BY REINIR PADUA
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has conferred host country approval to seven proposed clean development mechanism (CDM) projects. Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said these projects will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the country in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. Reyes said the newly approved CDM projects will reduce around 183,587 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
These projects are: Five methane recovery and electricity generation projects from hog farms developed by the Philippine Bio-sciences Company, Inc. owned by Gaya Li Farm, Inc; Gold Farm Livestock Corp.; Joliza Farms, Inc.; and Paramount Integrated Corp., and Uni-rich Agro-Industrial Corp.
The sixth project is a waste water treatment at the ethanol plant of the Absolut Chemical Inc. being developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi Corp. which will improve waste management by reducing chemical oxygen demand, destroying biochemical oxygen demand and improving color quality of waste water.
The seventh is the 20-megawatt geothermal power plant and switching station of the Philippine National Oil Company which is expected to contribute to emission reduction through the use of clean energy source.
The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), of which the Philippines is a signatory, to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of their greenhouse gases.
The approval brings to a total of eight all the approved CDM projects in the country since the first batch was approved in December last year.
The UNFCC aims to stabilize the greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a safe level to prevent human interference with the climate system.
The DENR said the approved projects can increase the Philippines’ status as having 3.49 percent share of the total number of registered CDM projects with a total of 229 projects worldwide.
The country ranks 4th with 22 projects being validated by accredited third-party quality assurance companies.
Malaya July 27, 2006
BY REINIR PADUA
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has conferred host country approval to seven proposed clean development mechanism (CDM) projects. Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said these projects will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the country in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. Reyes said the newly approved CDM projects will reduce around 183,587 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
These projects are: Five methane recovery and electricity generation projects from hog farms developed by the Philippine Bio-sciences Company, Inc. owned by Gaya Li Farm, Inc; Gold Farm Livestock Corp.; Joliza Farms, Inc.; and Paramount Integrated Corp., and Uni-rich Agro-Industrial Corp.
The sixth project is a waste water treatment at the ethanol plant of the Absolut Chemical Inc. being developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi Corp. which will improve waste management by reducing chemical oxygen demand, destroying biochemical oxygen demand and improving color quality of waste water.
The seventh is the 20-megawatt geothermal power plant and switching station of the Philippine National Oil Company which is expected to contribute to emission reduction through the use of clean energy source.
The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), of which the Philippines is a signatory, to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of their greenhouse gases.
The approval brings to a total of eight all the approved CDM projects in the country since the first batch was approved in December last year.
The UNFCC aims to stabilize the greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a safe level to prevent human interference with the climate system.
The DENR said the approved projects can increase the Philippines’ status as having 3.49 percent share of the total number of registered CDM projects with a total of 229 projects worldwide.
The country ranks 4th with 22 projects being validated by accredited third-party quality assurance companies.
Quick passage of renewable energy bill urged
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul27/envi5.html
Malaya 27 July 2006
THE country stands to benefit by as much as $1.23 billion over the next 10 years if it will pursue the development of its renewable energy resources, but the appropriate incentives and policy framework have to be put in place.
According to Mario Marasigan, director of the Energy Department Energy Utilization Bureau, the Philippines has considerable renewable energy resources which are more than sufficient to meet its growing power requirements. To illustrate this point, he cited the vast renewable energy potential installed capacity – far exceeding the 4,350 MW additional power requirement of the country in the next eight years.
Marasigan made the remarks during a familiarization tour of renewable energy facilities conducted for the technical staff of various senators and senate committees, including the Senate Committee on Energy. The tour was organized by the Renewable Energy Coalition which has been advocating for the swift passage of the Renewable Energy Bill. The House committee on energy recently adopted and endorsed HB 5563 for plenary consideration. The Senate Committee on Energy is also considering a counterpart measure. The RE Coalition is also calling that the bill be certified as urgent by Malacanang.
Various groups and industry players have been awaiting the enactment of the bill, which is one of the key measures President Arroyo asked Congress to pass in her 2005 State of the Nation Address.
The renewable energy tour group visited the Makiling-Banahaw geothermal facilities operated by the country’s geothermal pioneer Unocal Philippines, Inc., and the micro-hydro facilities which supplies power to the Villa Escudero plantation-resort. Among the country’s renewable energy sources, geothermal and hydro are relatively the most developed, accounting for 18 percent and 15 percent of the total power generation. The Philippines is also the world’s second largest producer of geothermal energy next to the United States.
Aside from geothermal and hydro, the proposed Renewable Energy Act will provide the needed impetus to promote the development of the country’s wind, solar, biomass, and ocean energy sources. Marasigan said various projects on these energy sources are in the pipeline or are currently being offered to investors.
Malaya 27 July 2006
THE country stands to benefit by as much as $1.23 billion over the next 10 years if it will pursue the development of its renewable energy resources, but the appropriate incentives and policy framework have to be put in place.
According to Mario Marasigan, director of the Energy Department Energy Utilization Bureau, the Philippines has considerable renewable energy resources which are more than sufficient to meet its growing power requirements. To illustrate this point, he cited the vast renewable energy potential installed capacity – far exceeding the 4,350 MW additional power requirement of the country in the next eight years.
Marasigan made the remarks during a familiarization tour of renewable energy facilities conducted for the technical staff of various senators and senate committees, including the Senate Committee on Energy. The tour was organized by the Renewable Energy Coalition which has been advocating for the swift passage of the Renewable Energy Bill. The House committee on energy recently adopted and endorsed HB 5563 for plenary consideration. The Senate Committee on Energy is also considering a counterpart measure. The RE Coalition is also calling that the bill be certified as urgent by Malacanang.
Various groups and industry players have been awaiting the enactment of the bill, which is one of the key measures President Arroyo asked Congress to pass in her 2005 State of the Nation Address.
The renewable energy tour group visited the Makiling-Banahaw geothermal facilities operated by the country’s geothermal pioneer Unocal Philippines, Inc., and the micro-hydro facilities which supplies power to the Villa Escudero plantation-resort. Among the country’s renewable energy sources, geothermal and hydro are relatively the most developed, accounting for 18 percent and 15 percent of the total power generation. The Philippines is also the world’s second largest producer of geothermal energy next to the United States.
Aside from geothermal and hydro, the proposed Renewable Energy Act will provide the needed impetus to promote the development of the country’s wind, solar, biomass, and ocean energy sources. Marasigan said various projects on these energy sources are in the pipeline or are currently being offered to investors.
SC reaffirms constitutionality of Mining Act
By Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star 07/27/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607270414.html
The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the constitutionality of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 when it junked with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by the Didipio Earth Savers’ Multi-Purpose Association Inc. (DESAMA).
In a resolution dated June 14, the high court denied DESAMA’s petition regarding its March 30 decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Mining Act, saying that the basic issues have already been addressed and there is no substantial argument to warrant a modification of its decision.
The high court also denied for lack of merit the motion of another petitioner seeking to intervene in the case. "We feel that a lot of questions remain unanswered and poses a threat to our rights," said lawyer Francis Joseph Ballesteros, of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), a group helping DESAMA.
The LRC said the SC’s denial on their petition for intervention is contrary to a decision it previously rendered en banc in the case of the La Bugal B’laan Tribal Association Inc. where it allowed the intervention of the Chamber of Mines. "We are disappointed, but we respect the SC decision," said lawyer Mary Ann dela Peña, also of LRC.
Nevertheless, the LRC considered the SC resolution as a "victory" because it declared the entry of mining concessionaires into private property as a form of "taking." This declaration, the LRC noted, means that mining firms would not be able to start operating in an area until the owners sell their property for mine use. Citing Article III, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution, the LRC pointed out that the valid exercise of eminent domain requires "taking for public use and upon payment of just compensation." The court affirms the first, while the other two requirements remained unsettled, the LRC stressed. "The Philippine Mining Act does not provide for a public purpose for such a taking nor does it provide for the payment of just compensation to affected landowners," the DESAMA argued in its motion for reconsideration.
Climax-Arimco Mining Corp. (CAMC) is reportedly offering only P200 to P250 per square meter for use of land in areas it intends to set up mining operations.
"Not all the owners of property have sold their lands. So, legally speaking, mining operations in Didipio should not proceed yet," Dela Peña said.
The indigenous peoples of Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya vowed to continue to defend their lands against mining firms. The DESAMA, with the assistance of the LRC, also said it would exhaust all measures to assert the people’s land rights and community control of the natural resources in their area.
"We will not stop, we will continue to fight for our lands and livelihood. Ang lupa ay para sa mamamayan, hindi para sa dayuhang minahan (The land is for the people, not for foreign mining firms)," said Peter Duyapat, a leader of DESAMA.
The Philippine Star 07/27/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200607270414.html
The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the constitutionality of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 when it junked with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by the Didipio Earth Savers’ Multi-Purpose Association Inc. (DESAMA).
In a resolution dated June 14, the high court denied DESAMA’s petition regarding its March 30 decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Mining Act, saying that the basic issues have already been addressed and there is no substantial argument to warrant a modification of its decision.
The high court also denied for lack of merit the motion of another petitioner seeking to intervene in the case. "We feel that a lot of questions remain unanswered and poses a threat to our rights," said lawyer Francis Joseph Ballesteros, of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), a group helping DESAMA.
The LRC said the SC’s denial on their petition for intervention is contrary to a decision it previously rendered en banc in the case of the La Bugal B’laan Tribal Association Inc. where it allowed the intervention of the Chamber of Mines. "We are disappointed, but we respect the SC decision," said lawyer Mary Ann dela Peña, also of LRC.
Nevertheless, the LRC considered the SC resolution as a "victory" because it declared the entry of mining concessionaires into private property as a form of "taking." This declaration, the LRC noted, means that mining firms would not be able to start operating in an area until the owners sell their property for mine use. Citing Article III, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution, the LRC pointed out that the valid exercise of eminent domain requires "taking for public use and upon payment of just compensation." The court affirms the first, while the other two requirements remained unsettled, the LRC stressed. "The Philippine Mining Act does not provide for a public purpose for such a taking nor does it provide for the payment of just compensation to affected landowners," the DESAMA argued in its motion for reconsideration.
Climax-Arimco Mining Corp. (CAMC) is reportedly offering only P200 to P250 per square meter for use of land in areas it intends to set up mining operations.
"Not all the owners of property have sold their lands. So, legally speaking, mining operations in Didipio should not proceed yet," Dela Peña said.
The indigenous peoples of Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya vowed to continue to defend their lands against mining firms. The DESAMA, with the assistance of the LRC, also said it would exhaust all measures to assert the people’s land rights and community control of the natural resources in their area.
"We will not stop, we will continue to fight for our lands and livelihood. Ang lupa ay para sa mamamayan, hindi para sa dayuhang minahan (The land is for the people, not for foreign mining firms)," said Peter Duyapat, a leader of DESAMA.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
MINING LAW STAYS, WEAKENS COMMUNITY LAND RIGHTS
LRC KSK PRESS RELEASE
For questions and comments, please contact: Mary Ann Dela Peña or Francis Joseph Ballesteros, 0917-3229998 or (02)4344079.
The Didipio Earth Savers’ Multi-Purpose Association, Inc. (DESAMA) is unfazed by the recent ruling of the Supreme Court’s First Division in the case they filed against the DENR Secretary and Climax-Arimco Mining Corp. as they vowed to defend their lands against mining firms.
“Di kami titigil sa paglaban para sa lupa at kabuhayan. Ang lupa ay para sa mamamayan, hindi para sa dayuhang minahan,” stressed Peter Duyapat, leader of the DESAMA, after learning of the Supreme Court’s ruling on July 19.
In the said case, the Court upheld the constitutionality of the Philippine Mining Act even as it declared the entry of mining concessionaires into private property, as a “taking”. Under section 9,Article III of the Constitution, a valid exercise of the eminent domain requires (1) taking for (2) public use and (3) upon payment of just compensation. The court affirms the first while the other two requirements remained unsettled. DESAMA, in its Motion for Reconsideration, argued that the Philippine Mining Act does not provide for a public purpose for such a taking nor does it provide for the payment of just compensation to affected landowners.
Other concerned groups have also filed a petition for intervention on the case, claiming that the taking under Section 76 is a violation of the constitutional right to due process, However, this motion for intervention was also denied in the same ruling.
This is all in contrast to a decision of the Court rendered EN BANC in the case of La Bugal B’laan Tribal Association, Inc. where it allowed the intervention of the Chamber of Mines.“We feel that a lot of questions remain unanswered and poses a threat to our rights.” says Francis Joseph Ballesteros of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Inc., counsel for DESAMA.
Despite the series of setbacks in the legal arena, DESAMA, together with other communities threatened by the large scale mining corporations as well as advocates for community control of natural resources remain resilient. The community spirit and resistance against the watering down of their rights to land and livelihood seeks out new venues and forms.
For questions and comments, please contact: Mary Ann Dela Peña or Francis Joseph Ballesteros, 0917-3229998 or (02)4344079.
The Didipio Earth Savers’ Multi-Purpose Association, Inc. (DESAMA) is unfazed by the recent ruling of the Supreme Court’s First Division in the case they filed against the DENR Secretary and Climax-Arimco Mining Corp. as they vowed to defend their lands against mining firms.
“Di kami titigil sa paglaban para sa lupa at kabuhayan. Ang lupa ay para sa mamamayan, hindi para sa dayuhang minahan,” stressed Peter Duyapat, leader of the DESAMA, after learning of the Supreme Court’s ruling on July 19.
In the said case, the Court upheld the constitutionality of the Philippine Mining Act even as it declared the entry of mining concessionaires into private property, as a “taking”. Under section 9,Article III of the Constitution, a valid exercise of the eminent domain requires (1) taking for (2) public use and (3) upon payment of just compensation. The court affirms the first while the other two requirements remained unsettled. DESAMA, in its Motion for Reconsideration, argued that the Philippine Mining Act does not provide for a public purpose for such a taking nor does it provide for the payment of just compensation to affected landowners.
Other concerned groups have also filed a petition for intervention on the case, claiming that the taking under Section 76 is a violation of the constitutional right to due process, However, this motion for intervention was also denied in the same ruling.
This is all in contrast to a decision of the Court rendered EN BANC in the case of La Bugal B’laan Tribal Association, Inc. where it allowed the intervention of the Chamber of Mines.“We feel that a lot of questions remain unanswered and poses a threat to our rights.” says Francis Joseph Ballesteros of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Inc., counsel for DESAMA.
Despite the series of setbacks in the legal arena, DESAMA, together with other communities threatened by the large scale mining corporations as well as advocates for community control of natural resources remain resilient. The community spirit and resistance against the watering down of their rights to land and livelihood seeks out new venues and forms.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Governor has no authority to issue quarry permits
First posted 01:49am (Mla time) July 25, 2006
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=11538
Editor's Note: Published on page A12 of the July 25, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THIS is a rejoinder to the letter of Ma. Gladys C. Sta. Rita, administrator of Bulacan's provincial government. (Inquirer, 7/17/06)
The provincial governor has no authority to issue a quarry permit inside mineral reservations without prior clearance from the secretary of the environment and natural resources.
In the case of the Biak na Bato Mineral Reservation, Proclamation No. 401 clearly states that the reservation, along with the Biak na Bato National Park and Watershed Forest Reserve, shall be under the direct control and administration of the secretary of environment and natural resources. Sec. 5 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 also clearly states, "Mining operations in existing mineral reservations and such other reservations as may thereafter be established, shall be undertaken by the Department or through a contractor." Sec. 15 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act states that government reservations are closed to mining applications unless prior written clearance by the agency concerned is secured.
The provincial governor has no authority to issue a quarry permit inside watershed forest reserves, since these areas are closed to mining applications.
The Biak na Bato Watershed Forest Reserve is closed to mining, pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 15.a.2 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act, to quote:
"The following areas are closed to mining applications: xxx 2. Old growth or virgin forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, wilderness areas, mangrove forests, tree parks, xxx."
The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board or PMRB is a body that is functionally within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Provincial Governor. Its main function is to evaluate and recommend to the governor applications for quarry permit, among other permits that are within the authority of the governor. In effect, while the regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau acts as chair of the board, his actions are all within the direct control and supervision of the provincial governor.
. The cancellation of quarry permits issued by the governor in the Biak na Bato Mineral Reservation and Watershed Forest Reserve is very relevant to the suspension of the quarrying operation of Rosemoor. Gov. Josie de la Cruz must remember that the bigger issue is the impact of all quarrying operations on Biak na Bato. Any quarry permit issued in the area has an impact on Biak na Bato.
The statement that the governor is authorized to issue environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) pursuant to DENR Adm. Order No. 30, s. 1992 is gravely wrong.
That order devolved the authority to issue ECCs only under Kalakalan 20, a government program that has long been terminated. At the moment, only the President, environment secretary and the Environmental Management Bureau regional director possess the authority to issue ECCs.
HORACIO C. RAMOS, director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=11538
Editor's Note: Published on page A12 of the July 25, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THIS is a rejoinder to the letter of Ma. Gladys C. Sta. Rita, administrator of Bulacan's provincial government. (Inquirer, 7/17/06)
The provincial governor has no authority to issue a quarry permit inside mineral reservations without prior clearance from the secretary of the environment and natural resources.
In the case of the Biak na Bato Mineral Reservation, Proclamation No. 401 clearly states that the reservation, along with the Biak na Bato National Park and Watershed Forest Reserve, shall be under the direct control and administration of the secretary of environment and natural resources. Sec. 5 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 also clearly states, "Mining operations in existing mineral reservations and such other reservations as may thereafter be established, shall be undertaken by the Department or through a contractor." Sec. 15 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act states that government reservations are closed to mining applications unless prior written clearance by the agency concerned is secured.
The provincial governor has no authority to issue a quarry permit inside watershed forest reserves, since these areas are closed to mining applications.
The Biak na Bato Watershed Forest Reserve is closed to mining, pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 15.a.2 of the implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act, to quote:
"The following areas are closed to mining applications: xxx 2. Old growth or virgin forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, wilderness areas, mangrove forests, tree parks, xxx."
The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board or PMRB is a body that is functionally within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Provincial Governor. Its main function is to evaluate and recommend to the governor applications for quarry permit, among other permits that are within the authority of the governor. In effect, while the regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau acts as chair of the board, his actions are all within the direct control and supervision of the provincial governor.
. The cancellation of quarry permits issued by the governor in the Biak na Bato Mineral Reservation and Watershed Forest Reserve is very relevant to the suspension of the quarrying operation of Rosemoor. Gov. Josie de la Cruz must remember that the bigger issue is the impact of all quarrying operations on Biak na Bato. Any quarry permit issued in the area has an impact on Biak na Bato.
The statement that the governor is authorized to issue environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) pursuant to DENR Adm. Order No. 30, s. 1992 is gravely wrong.
That order devolved the authority to issue ECCs only under Kalakalan 20, a government program that has long been terminated. At the moment, only the President, environment secretary and the Environmental Management Bureau regional director possess the authority to issue ECCs.
HORACIO C. RAMOS, director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Monday, July 24, 2006
SONA 2006
State of the Nation Address of GMA
24 July 2006,
Plenary Hall, Batasang Pambansa
http://sona.inq7.net/previousaddresses/2006.php
Thank you.
Thank you, Speaker de Venecia. Congratulations, Senate President Manny Villar; Vice-President Noli de Castro; President Ramos; Chief Justice Panganiban; Members of the diplomatic corps; Senators; Congressmen and Congresswomen; Other officials, ladies and gentlemen.
Sa araw na ito, nakatuon ang isip natin sa ating mga kababayan sa Lebanon. Nasa kuko sila ngayon ng malagim na paglala ng digmaan. Kahapon lamang, sinalubong natin ang unang dalawang-daang Pilipinong lumikas doon. Limang-daan pa ang mauuwi natin sa susunod na apat na araw.
Sa ating mga OFW, tunay kayong mga bagong bayani. Sa inyong paglilingkod sa pamilya, sa ating bayan at sa Diyos, maraming salamat.
Sa ating mga kababayan, a journey of a thousand miles does not begin with a single step. It starts with the first step, with gathering the means to complete it successfully. Those means are now at hand.
To my friends in Congress who, in the face of grave political consequences, championed and passed some of the most severe and critical fiscal reforms to save our economy, maraming salamat. You are the true friends of the Filipino people. For the real challenge has never been to blame but to fix what is wrong in our country and our economy.
Dahil sa inyo, sa wakas may pondo na tayo, hindi lamang para ibayad sa interes, kundi para sa edukasyon, mas mabuting tulay at kalsada, pagbigay kalinga sa kalusugan at higit na trabaho sa ating bansa. Now, we have the money to pay down our debt and to build up our country.
To the civil servants who rose to the challenge of turning a weakening economy to a strong republic, through more vigorous tax collection and more vigilant action against corruption, maraming salamat. We have achieved record revenue collections. We are lining up corrupt officials to face the consequences of their misdeeds. And finally earned the respect of the international community as a serious and viable state for our fiscal discipline and billions of pesos in annual interest savings that are now going into necessary public investments.
To our men and women in the armed services, the huge and deep core of your loyalty has earned the nation's accolade. The few mutineers have been condemned by the people. They and their partisan cohorts and funders are being brought to justice. Sa nakararaming kawal at pulis na nagtaguyod ng watawat at Saligang Batas, maraming salamat.
And at a time when we must each, as individuals and as communities, take greater responsibility, our local government officials man the frontline of change: change for greater accountability, for better service and more responsiveness to their constituents. Sa inyong lahat, mga local government officials, maraming salamat.
Higit sa lahat, salamat sa sambayanang Pilipino, para sa inyong mga sakripisyo, sa inyong tiyaga, for believing, in the face of the greatest hardships, in our ability to surmount the obstacles to the future you deserve; you who have resisted persistent if not pathetic calls for despair instead of faith, for anarchy instead of harmony, salamat, salamat, taus- pusong pasasalamat.
So I stand before you today to deliver a state of the nation that is focused on what the people want; the people want to know the plan to put us on the path to prosperity.
I am not here to talk about politics; I am here to talk about what the people want; details on the state of the nation and what their government is doing to make progress every single day.
Sama-sama nating isusulong ang bansa patungo sa kinabukasang nagniningning.
Gaya ng nakikita sa graph na ito, dahil sa ating reporma sa ekonomiya, we now have the funds to address social inequity and economic disparity. Too many ... masyadong marami, ang mamamayang nagugutom. Hindi ako hihinto hanggang magtagumpay ang ating laban sa kahirapan.
We now have the funds to stamp out terrorism and lawless violence.
May pondo na tayo para labanan ang katiwalian.
Our reforms have earned us P1 billion from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Account for more investigators, prosecutors, and new technology to fight corruption. We are matching this with another billion from our fiscal savings.
We now have the funds for constitutional and electoral changes. Sa kasalukuyang sistema, napakabagal ng proseso, at bukas sa labis na pagtutunggali, at sikil ang lalawigan at mamamayan sa paghahari ng Imperial Manila. Panahon nang ibalik ang kapangyarihan sa taumbayan at lalawigan. For surely, there must be a better way to do politics, so that those who lose elections do not make the country pay for their frustrated ambitions. There must be a better way so that those who win the nation's mandate to govern can work without delay and whimsical obstruction. There must be a better way.
Meanwhile, now we can fund the Medium Term Public Investment Program.
Sumusulong na ang ating plano na may tatlong yugto. Una, ang makaahon sa mga dekada ng utang at kapos ng pondo. Nagawa na natin ito. Ikalawang yugto, ang pagbabalik sa taumbayan ang mas malaking kita ng pamahalaan: upang makapagpundar ng kalinga sa kalusugan, edukasyon at trabaho na kailangang-kailangan ng mamamayan. Ginagawa na rin natin ito. And finally, Phase Three: to invest in the natural advantages and natural resources of each section of our nation so that when harnessed together, the major economic regions of the nation are larger than the sum of its parts.
We will enhance the competitive advantage of the natural "super regions" of the Philippines: the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, Central Philippines, Mindanao and the Cyber Corridor.
In North Luzon, we will prioritize agribusiness investments. The agricultural and fisheries potential of the Cordilleras, Ilocandia, and Cagayan Valley can feed Luzon affordably. And nearness to North Asia holds the rich promise of agricultural exports and tourism.
My father built the Halsema Highway from Baguio to Bontoc, and the Bagabag airport in Nueva Vizcaya to access the Ifugao rice terraces, which by the way, the UNESCO has recently praised for the way we have carried out our heritage preservation policy. We have rehabilitated the Baguio to Mount Data leg of the highway and the rest of Halsema will now follow. We will upgrade the Bagabag airport and build a new one in Lallo, Cagayan, which will connect to Cordillera by upgrading the Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road.
Sa Tabuk, Kalinga, noong Abril, tumanggap ng titulo sa lupa ang ilang matatanda, pagkatapos nilang naghintay ng dalawampung taon mula noong napirmahan ang Mount Data Accord ng gobyerno at ng Cordillera People's Liberation Army. May isang matanda, suot ang lumang uniporme ng CPLA. Pumila, hila-hila ang isang binatilyo. Sabi niya, "This is not for me but for him." Agad inabot ang titulo sa apo. Narito ngayon si Ginoong Ama Balunggay at ang kaniyang apo si Jacob.
And our post-harvest support shall continue, like the cold chain that we set up in 2004 for La Trinidad, Benguet under Mayor Nestor Fongwan. It consisted of a refrigerated storage facility and refrigerated trucks to deliver vegetables to Metro Manila. Nais kong tumaas ang kita ng mga magsasaka, at ang ina ng bawat tahanan ay makabili ng mura at sariwang gulay para sa kaniyang mga anak.
So that the people will know how well their money is spent, Benguet and its towns of Bakun, Bokod and Itogon have rolled out the new electronic government accounting system in their jurisdictions.
If Ifugao was able to cut its poverty in half in the first three years of our administration, from 56 to 28%, congratulations. We hope that through these programs, the other provinces can replicate the success of Ifugao. Hangad nating dumami ang mga taga-Cordillera sa mga propesyon na tinitingalaan ng bayan, gaya ng mga abogadong gaya nina Maurice Domogan at Romeo Brawner. Ibig din nating makapaghanda ang Cordillera sa awtonomiya pagdating ng pederalismo, ayon nawa sa pagbabago ng Saligang Batas.
Sa Dagupan, inilunsad na ng mga kolehiyo gaya ng Northwestern Lyceum University and ladderized system of education. Sa ganitong sistema, magagamit sa unibersidad and mga kursong kinuha sa vocational school at ang karanasan sa trabaho.
We will expand President Ramos' flagship San Roque Multipurpose Dam with the massive Agno River Project. Another major project is the Banaoang Irrigation. We allocate P200 million a month for small irrigation projects like those in the flood control plan of the Region II Development Council headed by Bishop Ramon Villena. Plus another P200 million a month for farm to market roads.
Also in the works is an international airport in Poro, La Union and the improvement of the two airports in Batanes as recommended by Governor Vic Gato. Ilocos Sur will have a seaport in Salomague while the Cagayan Zone Authority will better the one in Port Irene.
To save dollars, windmills in Batanes and Ilocos Norte turn megawinds into megawatts. When Army Commander Romy Tolentino was North Luzon commander, he became a soldier-farmer, planting jatropha as yet another alternative fuel.
The Metro Luzon Urban Beltway spans most of Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mindoro and Marinduque. It must be a globally competitive urban, industrial and services center, because it produces more than half of the country's GDP.
To be world-class we invest in five comprehensive strategies for global competitiveness:
1. Make food plentiful and affordable to keep our labor cost globally competitive.
2. Reduce the cost of electricity to make our factories regionally competitive.
3. Modernize infrastructure at least cost to efficiently transport goods and people.
4. Mobilize, upgrade and disseminate knowledge and technologies for productivity.
5. Reduce red tape in all agencies to cut business costs.
The most prohibitive red tape is in our outmoded Constitution. We need Constitutional change to bring our rules of investment into the new millennium.
The new public bidding process has been shortened to 45 days for infrastructure, and 26 days for supplies, as of today. Even before this, Metro Manila firms paying bribes for public contracts declined from 57% in 2003 to 46 today. Congratulations, Metro Manila.
Machine readable electronic passports will enhance the credibility of Philippine travel documents, improve the mobility and increase the prospects of Philippine business and labor.
Legitimate mobility is hampered by human trafficking. Through the support of the USAID, we have convicted human traffickers with the Tongco spouses who were sentenced in a Quezon City court last December. These accomplishments removed us from the from the priority anti-trafficking watchlist.
To lower power costs we introduced the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market last month. Let's give it a chance to work. And we would like big power consumers like electronics, our number one exports, to avail of lower power rates from the National Power Corporation. On coco-biodiesel, we now have enough capacity for the proposed 1% blend just waiting to be passed into law.
The Subic-Clark corridor is on its way to a competitive international logistics center. This will be my legacy to my cabalens, jointly with Lito and Mark Lapid, Rey Aquino, Ana Bondoc, Blue Boy Nepomuceno, my son Mikey and Tarzan Lazatin. We jumpstarted it with giant investments in the Subic Seaport, the Clark Airport, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
And to bring the beltway to the west we will connect the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Road to Dingalan Port through Nueva Ecija, and the Marikina- Infanta Road to the port of Real.
Upang ibsan ang pagod ng mga empleyadong namamasahe sa trapiko sa Kalakhang Maynila, mangangapital tayo sa mga expressway at tren.
We will have a continuous highway from Clark to Metro Manila to Batangas Port. Tapos na iyong expressway mula Clark hanggang Maynila. Sa ngayon wala nang isang oras ang biyahe mula Clark hanggang Monumento. Ngayon iiwasan natin ang trapiko mula Monumento, dahil idudugtong natin ang North Expressway sa C-5. Tutulong si Sonny Belmonte sa right-of-way. Ang C-5 naman ay konektado na sa South Luzon Expressway. Ang South Luzon Expressway ay pinapalapad naman hanggang Calamba. Sa Agosto, pahahabain ito hanggang Batangas. We will also build the Coastal Road to Bacoor, which has become urban under Jesse Castillo.
Pagdurugtungin natin ang MRT at LRT mula Monumento hanggang North EDSA upang mabuo ang biyahe paikot sa Kamaynilaan, at maibsan ang trapik. We will construct the Northrail to Clark and the Southrail to Lucena and on to Bicol, and upgrade the link between them. We will also extend the LRT to Bacoor. Sa pagbilis ng biyahe patungo at palabaas ng Metro Manila, makakatira ang manggagawa sa mas mura at maaliwalas na lalawigan.
Maayos na ang kapaligiran sa riles ng tren sa South Superhighway. Masaya ang mga pamilyang hinatid namin ni Vice President Noli de Castro sa kanilang bago at permanenteng relokasyon. Teddy Boy Locsin said it hadn't been done before, and couldn't be done at all. Well, Teddy?
Ngayon gagawin ito sa Maynila, si Lito Atienza ang bahala.
We thank China for agreeing to fund these housing needs. Huwaran ng ating programang pabahay para sa mahihirap ang mga proyekto ng Iglesia ni Kristo at Gawad Kalinga.
Ngunit kapos sa tubig ang mga taga-West Zone ng Kamaynilaan. Kaya bibigyan natin ng prayoridad hindi lamang ang edukasyon, koryente, enerhiya at kalusugan, kundi tubig din. We are setting up a 300 million liters per day pumping station for Muntinlupa, Las Pinas and Paranaque.
We will build a roll-on-roll-roll-off port system to link Lucena, Quezon to Boac, Marinduque, like the Batangas-Mindoro RORO.
Sa ganitong mga proyekto, palalakasin natin ang ekonomiya ng mga barangay at lalawigan. And we will end the long oppression of barangays by rebel terrorists who kill without qualms, even their own. Sa mga lalawigang sakop ng 7th Division, nakikibaka sa kalaban si Jovito Palparan. Hindi siya aatras hanggang makawala sa gabi ng kilabot ang mga pamayanan at maka-ahon sa bukang-liwayway ng hustisya at kalayaan.
In the harshest possible terms I condemn political killings. We together stopped judicial executions with the abolition of the death penalty. We urge witnesses to come forward. Together we will stop extrajudicial executions.
Central Philippines has the competitive edge in tourism in its natural wonders and the extraordinary hospitality of its people. The area sweeps across Palawan and Romblon, the Visayas and Bicol, plus the northern Mindanao islands of Camiguin, Siargao and Dapitan. Topbilled by Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan, it attracts more than half of the foreign tourists to the Philippines. It is also the center of geothermal power in the country, which we continue to develop.
The priority here is tourism investments. Coming soon for superstar Boracay are an instrument landing system for the Kalibo airport and a P3 billion private investment in a San Jose, Romblon airport, plus good roads to spillover destinations all over Panay.
In Cebu, Gwen Garcia is constructing a world-class convention center for the ASEAN and East Asian Summits in December.
Helping our infrastructure upgrading, is the fall in bribery for public sector contracts in Metro Cebu, from 62% of companies in 2004 to 47 today. Congratulations to Cardinal Vidal for shepherding his flock and to Metro Cebu Mayors Osmena, Ouano and Fernandez, and Metro Cebu representatives del Mar, Cuenco, Gullas and Soon-Ruiz.
Bohol became a destination distinct from Cebu since it defeated the terrorist insurgency with community initiatives led by the power tandem of Rico Aumentado and General Johnny Gomez, now the NCR Commander. It now merits its own international airport, just as our country deserves a world-class Constitution strongly supported by Governor Aumentado and the league of local authorities.
Tourism in Palawan requires the upgrading of the airports of Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, San Vicente (hometown of Congressman Alvarez that's why he's clapping) and the building of a new one in Balabac; as well as a continuous road backbone from El Nido to Bataraza.
We will lengthen the Dumaguete runway for tourism as well as electronics. Valencia, Oriental Negros could attract semiconductor firms with power rates subsidized by the geothermal field of Palimpinon. Negros will also advance energy independence with ethanol projects in San Carlos City and Tamlang Valley, once the biofuel law is passed. (You have done your part, Migs)
We will serve Guimaras by the airport being built in Santa Barbara, Iloilo and by a new RORO port in Sibunag. We will link Sipalay via Silay airport funded by the national government and Kabankalan airport being built by its local government. Thank you.
For Bicol's whalesharks, beaches and, of course, Mount Mayon, we have started acquiring the right of way for an international airport in Daraga, Albay. We will provide the means to the perfect surfs of the Pacific by upgrading the airports of Siargao, Guiuan and Tacloban.
We will widen the road to Dakak in Dapitan, and RORO will connect Siquijor to Santander, Cebu; Camiguin to Jagna, Bohol; Ubay, Bohol to Maasin, Southern Leyte, for diving in Limasawa.
We will bring Masbate and Biliran into the RORO Eastern Nautical Highway from Surigao through Leyte through Naval and Maripipi in Biliran through Esperanza, Aroroy and Burias Island in Masbate and on to Bicol. The much-awaited 10-megawatt generator set arrived in Masbate last Saturday. It is ready to power up the province before the end of the month.
Camiguin, Romblon and Camarines Norte got out of the list of poorest provinces in 2003. With tourism these provinces can become rich.
Also winning the war against poverty and calamity, undaunted by unimaginable catastrophe, the valiant people of Southern Leyte, under the leadership of Rosette Lerias and Oging Mercado (our Rudy Guliani) are rebuilding the lives of Saint Bernard and San Francisco from their tragic mudslides. Yesterday, I asked the Japanese government to help Southern Leyte implement an integrated management approach to deal with their critical ecosystem, like the one the World Bank has approved for the Bicol River Basin.
Mindanao is our priority for agribusiness investments in the south.
Mindanao is mostly fertile and largely typhoon-free, exporting coconut products and high value crops, and from its waters come 40% of the country's fish catch. Our investment priorities mirror those for North Luzon, and more because Mindanao has the poorest regions and poorest provinces and because we have to spend on a logistics system linking it to the north.
In 2003 we introduced the RORO from Zamboanga del Norte through Negros, Panay and Mindoro to Batangas. This system has slashed travel time from Mindanao to Luzon from 36 hours to 24 hours, and freight cost by 30 percent, so crucial to food shipments. Now we will develop more routes like the one from Cagayan de Oro through Camiguin, Bohol, Cebu and Masbate to Bicol, the Central Nautical Highway.
Also in 2003, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Tawitawi registered double-digit declines in poverty incidence from the year 2000. Congratulations.
Kitang-kita ang pag-ibayo ng mga isla ng Sulu, Basilan at Tawi-Tawi. Nagbukas ang Jollibee sa Basilan. The Balikatan exercises with the United States, combined with the US GEM program and other donor-assisted projects, have no doubt contributed to this.
Sa Sulu, isang araw ng Mayo, umuulan, nagwakas ang isang mahabang pagtutunggali nang pumasok ang mga kawal at sibilyan sa Kampong Bitan-ag sa Panamao na hawak ng mga rebelde. Nagyakapan at nagkamayan ang dalawang panig. Dahil sa matinding pagnanais para sa kapayapaan ni Marine General Ben Dolorfino, naganap ang pagkakasundo. Gayon natapos ang isang madugong kabanata. Congratulations, General Ben Dolorfino.
Susi sa anumang pag-ibayo ang malakas na suporta at ma-abilidad na liderato ng pamahalaang local. Halimbawa, iyong "from arms to farms¿¿ ni Governor Ben Loong ng Sulu, with his caravan of tractors literally invading former rebel camps in his province. Congratulations.
Mahigit isang linggong nakaraan, dumating sa "Eleven Islands" ang daan-daang rebeldeng at kanilang pamilya, sa pamumuno ng dating MNLF Commander na si Aribari Samson. Dito sa mga pulo na kilalang "no man's island," dati nagtatago ang mga rebelde at criminal. Ngayon sa tulong ng isang programa ng United Nations, nagtayo tayo ng dalawang daang tahanan at panibagong buhay para sa pangkat ni Samson. Thank you for giving peace a chance. Congratulations, Commander Samson.
I take this occasion to express our gratitude to the donor community from the US, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union, Australia, Japan, our ASEAN neighbors, the multilaterals and the rest of the world. Thank you for helping us in our peace process.
If we can harness the forces of good in our nation, the positive force at work here at home and those from abroad such as the US, Malaysia, the OIC and others, we shall prevail in Mindanao with a peace agreement that brings freedom and hope to all Filipinos. With this peace, we would reap dividends in resources invested in agribusiness, not aggression, to build up, not tear down, the Philippine south.
Among the possible peace dividends would be pro-poor road projects like the Siocon-Sirawai-Sibuco-Baligyan Road in Zamboanga del Norte; the Lebak to Maguindanao which Sim Datumanong started when he was Secretary of Public Works; the Dinagat Island road network in Surigao Del Norte; the Hawilian-Salug-Sinakungan barangay road in Agusan del Sur; the Pangil Bay Bridge; and the Surigao-Davao Road, which we want to be as beautiful as the Bukidnon Highway completed during the administration of Joe Zubiri and the term of Migs Zubiri.
Mindanao's number one export, coconuts, has been growing continuously for the last three years, at the rate of 10% a year. The coconut farmers deserve a portion of the peace dividend. I invite Congress and the Bishops-Ulama-Priests-Pastors-Farmer-Lumad Conference led by Archbishop Fernando Capalla to help me ensure their rightful share.
On top of peace and investment, progress also demands good governance. I congratulate Donkoy Emano for the drop in reports of corruption for public contracts in Cagayan de Oro from 65% of firms last year to 38 this year. Also Rudy Duterte and the other leaders of Metro Davao led by Majority Leader Boy Nograles for a similar drop, 57% last year to 49 now. Things are coming together for Mindanao, a prelude to their readiness for eventual federalism.
The Cyber Corridor will boost telecommunications, technology and education. The corridor runs the length of all the super regions, from Baguio to Cebu to Davao. The cities of Davao, Tagum and Samal Island Garden all operate electronic government accounting systems. There are many wings now to the corridor because enterprising local executives like L-Ray Villafuerte and Jerry Trenas have aggressively attracted call centers to their jurisdictions (Congratulations, Jerry) In this corridor, the English and information and communication technology skills of the youth give them a competitive edge in call centers and other business process outsourcing.
In 2001, in this hall, we hailed ICT as a key growth sector. So we built up telecommunications infrastructure and opened the market for Internet phone calls. Today international calls cost 6 cents a minute, down from 40 cents. From 2,000 BPO workers in 2001, we now have 200,000.
I had coffee with some call center agents last Labor Day. Lyn, a new college graduate, told me, "Now I don't have to leave the country in order for me to help my family. Salamat po." I was so touched, Lyn by your comments. With these structural reforms, we not only found jobs, but kept families intact. Thank God, I thought, or someone might also try to impeach me for violating Article 15 of the Constitution on the solidarity of the family as the foundation of the nation.
As Louie Villafuerte argues, to step into the future, a country that wants to be a player in the global economy needs bold and well-funded research and development initiatives of its own. To this end, we will continuously increase the budget for science and technology, and education. For in today's global economy, knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth.
In summary, I named only a few priorities to illustrate that on many fronts, your government is working, and working well. Our economy is now growing over the longest period in the last quarter-century: 22 consecutive quarters of growth. Umakyat ng mahigit tatlumpung porsyento ang kita ng pinakamahihirap na pamilya sa unang tatlong taon ng ating panunungkulan, at bumaba ang dami ng maralita sa 25% ng mga pamilya, mula 28%, katumbas ng dalawang milyong katao na lumaya sa kahirapan. According to Thornton and Punongbayan, 70% of medium-sized business owners are optimistic, the fifth most optimistic among 30 countries, just behind India, Ireland, South Africa and China.
Bickering in politics may delay, but not derail the initiatives that need to be taken on our pro-poor, pro-growth, and pro-peace agenda. Regardless of the fate of the national budget, we must automate our election process. Local governments must get their rightful share of revenues. I ask Congress to pass a supplemental budget to effect this.
We are a great people. We have honest students and honest cops. We have scaled the heights of Mount Everest, dominated the Southeast Asian games, we have won international beauty titles, and of course punched our way to triumph in the boxing world. Our people compete and win every day in every imaginable job throughout the world. Individually, we've taken the world on and won; together, we must take on the challenge of creating a new, peaceful, humane and competitive nation and prevail.
For those who want to pick up old fights, we're game but what a waste of time. Why not join hands instead? Join hands in the biggest challenge of all, where we all win or we all lose: the battle for the survival and progress of our one and only country.
After three years, eleven months, and six days, I shall relinquish the Presidency, with much if not all that I have outlined completed. I do not want it said then that, in the end, I defeated my enemies. I would rather have it said that all of us, you and I, friends and foes today, achieved together a country progressive, prosperous and united.
Thank you. Mabuhay!
24 July 2006,
Plenary Hall, Batasang Pambansa
http://sona.inq7.net/previousaddresses/2006.php
Thank you.
Thank you, Speaker de Venecia. Congratulations, Senate President Manny Villar; Vice-President Noli de Castro; President Ramos; Chief Justice Panganiban; Members of the diplomatic corps; Senators; Congressmen and Congresswomen; Other officials, ladies and gentlemen.
Sa araw na ito, nakatuon ang isip natin sa ating mga kababayan sa Lebanon. Nasa kuko sila ngayon ng malagim na paglala ng digmaan. Kahapon lamang, sinalubong natin ang unang dalawang-daang Pilipinong lumikas doon. Limang-daan pa ang mauuwi natin sa susunod na apat na araw.
Sa ating mga OFW, tunay kayong mga bagong bayani. Sa inyong paglilingkod sa pamilya, sa ating bayan at sa Diyos, maraming salamat.
Sa ating mga kababayan, a journey of a thousand miles does not begin with a single step. It starts with the first step, with gathering the means to complete it successfully. Those means are now at hand.
To my friends in Congress who, in the face of grave political consequences, championed and passed some of the most severe and critical fiscal reforms to save our economy, maraming salamat. You are the true friends of the Filipino people. For the real challenge has never been to blame but to fix what is wrong in our country and our economy.
Dahil sa inyo, sa wakas may pondo na tayo, hindi lamang para ibayad sa interes, kundi para sa edukasyon, mas mabuting tulay at kalsada, pagbigay kalinga sa kalusugan at higit na trabaho sa ating bansa. Now, we have the money to pay down our debt and to build up our country.
To the civil servants who rose to the challenge of turning a weakening economy to a strong republic, through more vigorous tax collection and more vigilant action against corruption, maraming salamat. We have achieved record revenue collections. We are lining up corrupt officials to face the consequences of their misdeeds. And finally earned the respect of the international community as a serious and viable state for our fiscal discipline and billions of pesos in annual interest savings that are now going into necessary public investments.
To our men and women in the armed services, the huge and deep core of your loyalty has earned the nation's accolade. The few mutineers have been condemned by the people. They and their partisan cohorts and funders are being brought to justice. Sa nakararaming kawal at pulis na nagtaguyod ng watawat at Saligang Batas, maraming salamat.
And at a time when we must each, as individuals and as communities, take greater responsibility, our local government officials man the frontline of change: change for greater accountability, for better service and more responsiveness to their constituents. Sa inyong lahat, mga local government officials, maraming salamat.
Higit sa lahat, salamat sa sambayanang Pilipino, para sa inyong mga sakripisyo, sa inyong tiyaga, for believing, in the face of the greatest hardships, in our ability to surmount the obstacles to the future you deserve; you who have resisted persistent if not pathetic calls for despair instead of faith, for anarchy instead of harmony, salamat, salamat, taus- pusong pasasalamat.
So I stand before you today to deliver a state of the nation that is focused on what the people want; the people want to know the plan to put us on the path to prosperity.
I am not here to talk about politics; I am here to talk about what the people want; details on the state of the nation and what their government is doing to make progress every single day.
Sama-sama nating isusulong ang bansa patungo sa kinabukasang nagniningning.
Gaya ng nakikita sa graph na ito, dahil sa ating reporma sa ekonomiya, we now have the funds to address social inequity and economic disparity. Too many ... masyadong marami, ang mamamayang nagugutom. Hindi ako hihinto hanggang magtagumpay ang ating laban sa kahirapan.
We now have the funds to stamp out terrorism and lawless violence.
May pondo na tayo para labanan ang katiwalian.
Our reforms have earned us P1 billion from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Account for more investigators, prosecutors, and new technology to fight corruption. We are matching this with another billion from our fiscal savings.
We now have the funds for constitutional and electoral changes. Sa kasalukuyang sistema, napakabagal ng proseso, at bukas sa labis na pagtutunggali, at sikil ang lalawigan at mamamayan sa paghahari ng Imperial Manila. Panahon nang ibalik ang kapangyarihan sa taumbayan at lalawigan. For surely, there must be a better way to do politics, so that those who lose elections do not make the country pay for their frustrated ambitions. There must be a better way so that those who win the nation's mandate to govern can work without delay and whimsical obstruction. There must be a better way.
Meanwhile, now we can fund the Medium Term Public Investment Program.
Sumusulong na ang ating plano na may tatlong yugto. Una, ang makaahon sa mga dekada ng utang at kapos ng pondo. Nagawa na natin ito. Ikalawang yugto, ang pagbabalik sa taumbayan ang mas malaking kita ng pamahalaan: upang makapagpundar ng kalinga sa kalusugan, edukasyon at trabaho na kailangang-kailangan ng mamamayan. Ginagawa na rin natin ito. And finally, Phase Three: to invest in the natural advantages and natural resources of each section of our nation so that when harnessed together, the major economic regions of the nation are larger than the sum of its parts.
We will enhance the competitive advantage of the natural "super regions" of the Philippines: the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, Central Philippines, Mindanao and the Cyber Corridor.
In North Luzon, we will prioritize agribusiness investments. The agricultural and fisheries potential of the Cordilleras, Ilocandia, and Cagayan Valley can feed Luzon affordably. And nearness to North Asia holds the rich promise of agricultural exports and tourism.
My father built the Halsema Highway from Baguio to Bontoc, and the Bagabag airport in Nueva Vizcaya to access the Ifugao rice terraces, which by the way, the UNESCO has recently praised for the way we have carried out our heritage preservation policy. We have rehabilitated the Baguio to Mount Data leg of the highway and the rest of Halsema will now follow. We will upgrade the Bagabag airport and build a new one in Lallo, Cagayan, which will connect to Cordillera by upgrading the Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road.
Sa Tabuk, Kalinga, noong Abril, tumanggap ng titulo sa lupa ang ilang matatanda, pagkatapos nilang naghintay ng dalawampung taon mula noong napirmahan ang Mount Data Accord ng gobyerno at ng Cordillera People's Liberation Army. May isang matanda, suot ang lumang uniporme ng CPLA. Pumila, hila-hila ang isang binatilyo. Sabi niya, "This is not for me but for him." Agad inabot ang titulo sa apo. Narito ngayon si Ginoong Ama Balunggay at ang kaniyang apo si Jacob.
And our post-harvest support shall continue, like the cold chain that we set up in 2004 for La Trinidad, Benguet under Mayor Nestor Fongwan. It consisted of a refrigerated storage facility and refrigerated trucks to deliver vegetables to Metro Manila. Nais kong tumaas ang kita ng mga magsasaka, at ang ina ng bawat tahanan ay makabili ng mura at sariwang gulay para sa kaniyang mga anak.
So that the people will know how well their money is spent, Benguet and its towns of Bakun, Bokod and Itogon have rolled out the new electronic government accounting system in their jurisdictions.
If Ifugao was able to cut its poverty in half in the first three years of our administration, from 56 to 28%, congratulations. We hope that through these programs, the other provinces can replicate the success of Ifugao. Hangad nating dumami ang mga taga-Cordillera sa mga propesyon na tinitingalaan ng bayan, gaya ng mga abogadong gaya nina Maurice Domogan at Romeo Brawner. Ibig din nating makapaghanda ang Cordillera sa awtonomiya pagdating ng pederalismo, ayon nawa sa pagbabago ng Saligang Batas.
Sa Dagupan, inilunsad na ng mga kolehiyo gaya ng Northwestern Lyceum University and ladderized system of education. Sa ganitong sistema, magagamit sa unibersidad and mga kursong kinuha sa vocational school at ang karanasan sa trabaho.
We will expand President Ramos' flagship San Roque Multipurpose Dam with the massive Agno River Project. Another major project is the Banaoang Irrigation. We allocate P200 million a month for small irrigation projects like those in the flood control plan of the Region II Development Council headed by Bishop Ramon Villena. Plus another P200 million a month for farm to market roads.
Also in the works is an international airport in Poro, La Union and the improvement of the two airports in Batanes as recommended by Governor Vic Gato. Ilocos Sur will have a seaport in Salomague while the Cagayan Zone Authority will better the one in Port Irene.
To save dollars, windmills in Batanes and Ilocos Norte turn megawinds into megawatts. When Army Commander Romy Tolentino was North Luzon commander, he became a soldier-farmer, planting jatropha as yet another alternative fuel.
The Metro Luzon Urban Beltway spans most of Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mindoro and Marinduque. It must be a globally competitive urban, industrial and services center, because it produces more than half of the country's GDP.
To be world-class we invest in five comprehensive strategies for global competitiveness:
1. Make food plentiful and affordable to keep our labor cost globally competitive.
2. Reduce the cost of electricity to make our factories regionally competitive.
3. Modernize infrastructure at least cost to efficiently transport goods and people.
4. Mobilize, upgrade and disseminate knowledge and technologies for productivity.
5. Reduce red tape in all agencies to cut business costs.
The most prohibitive red tape is in our outmoded Constitution. We need Constitutional change to bring our rules of investment into the new millennium.
The new public bidding process has been shortened to 45 days for infrastructure, and 26 days for supplies, as of today. Even before this, Metro Manila firms paying bribes for public contracts declined from 57% in 2003 to 46 today. Congratulations, Metro Manila.
Machine readable electronic passports will enhance the credibility of Philippine travel documents, improve the mobility and increase the prospects of Philippine business and labor.
Legitimate mobility is hampered by human trafficking. Through the support of the USAID, we have convicted human traffickers with the Tongco spouses who were sentenced in a Quezon City court last December. These accomplishments removed us from the from the priority anti-trafficking watchlist.
To lower power costs we introduced the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market last month. Let's give it a chance to work. And we would like big power consumers like electronics, our number one exports, to avail of lower power rates from the National Power Corporation. On coco-biodiesel, we now have enough capacity for the proposed 1% blend just waiting to be passed into law.
The Subic-Clark corridor is on its way to a competitive international logistics center. This will be my legacy to my cabalens, jointly with Lito and Mark Lapid, Rey Aquino, Ana Bondoc, Blue Boy Nepomuceno, my son Mikey and Tarzan Lazatin. We jumpstarted it with giant investments in the Subic Seaport, the Clark Airport, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
And to bring the beltway to the west we will connect the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Road to Dingalan Port through Nueva Ecija, and the Marikina- Infanta Road to the port of Real.
Upang ibsan ang pagod ng mga empleyadong namamasahe sa trapiko sa Kalakhang Maynila, mangangapital tayo sa mga expressway at tren.
We will have a continuous highway from Clark to Metro Manila to Batangas Port. Tapos na iyong expressway mula Clark hanggang Maynila. Sa ngayon wala nang isang oras ang biyahe mula Clark hanggang Monumento. Ngayon iiwasan natin ang trapiko mula Monumento, dahil idudugtong natin ang North Expressway sa C-5. Tutulong si Sonny Belmonte sa right-of-way. Ang C-5 naman ay konektado na sa South Luzon Expressway. Ang South Luzon Expressway ay pinapalapad naman hanggang Calamba. Sa Agosto, pahahabain ito hanggang Batangas. We will also build the Coastal Road to Bacoor, which has become urban under Jesse Castillo.
Pagdurugtungin natin ang MRT at LRT mula Monumento hanggang North EDSA upang mabuo ang biyahe paikot sa Kamaynilaan, at maibsan ang trapik. We will construct the Northrail to Clark and the Southrail to Lucena and on to Bicol, and upgrade the link between them. We will also extend the LRT to Bacoor. Sa pagbilis ng biyahe patungo at palabaas ng Metro Manila, makakatira ang manggagawa sa mas mura at maaliwalas na lalawigan.
Maayos na ang kapaligiran sa riles ng tren sa South Superhighway. Masaya ang mga pamilyang hinatid namin ni Vice President Noli de Castro sa kanilang bago at permanenteng relokasyon. Teddy Boy Locsin said it hadn't been done before, and couldn't be done at all. Well, Teddy?
Ngayon gagawin ito sa Maynila, si Lito Atienza ang bahala.
We thank China for agreeing to fund these housing needs. Huwaran ng ating programang pabahay para sa mahihirap ang mga proyekto ng Iglesia ni Kristo at Gawad Kalinga.
Ngunit kapos sa tubig ang mga taga-West Zone ng Kamaynilaan. Kaya bibigyan natin ng prayoridad hindi lamang ang edukasyon, koryente, enerhiya at kalusugan, kundi tubig din. We are setting up a 300 million liters per day pumping station for Muntinlupa, Las Pinas and Paranaque.
We will build a roll-on-roll-roll-off port system to link Lucena, Quezon to Boac, Marinduque, like the Batangas-Mindoro RORO.
Sa ganitong mga proyekto, palalakasin natin ang ekonomiya ng mga barangay at lalawigan. And we will end the long oppression of barangays by rebel terrorists who kill without qualms, even their own. Sa mga lalawigang sakop ng 7th Division, nakikibaka sa kalaban si Jovito Palparan. Hindi siya aatras hanggang makawala sa gabi ng kilabot ang mga pamayanan at maka-ahon sa bukang-liwayway ng hustisya at kalayaan.
In the harshest possible terms I condemn political killings. We together stopped judicial executions with the abolition of the death penalty. We urge witnesses to come forward. Together we will stop extrajudicial executions.
Central Philippines has the competitive edge in tourism in its natural wonders and the extraordinary hospitality of its people. The area sweeps across Palawan and Romblon, the Visayas and Bicol, plus the northern Mindanao islands of Camiguin, Siargao and Dapitan. Topbilled by Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan, it attracts more than half of the foreign tourists to the Philippines. It is also the center of geothermal power in the country, which we continue to develop.
The priority here is tourism investments. Coming soon for superstar Boracay are an instrument landing system for the Kalibo airport and a P3 billion private investment in a San Jose, Romblon airport, plus good roads to spillover destinations all over Panay.
In Cebu, Gwen Garcia is constructing a world-class convention center for the ASEAN and East Asian Summits in December.
Helping our infrastructure upgrading, is the fall in bribery for public sector contracts in Metro Cebu, from 62% of companies in 2004 to 47 today. Congratulations to Cardinal Vidal for shepherding his flock and to Metro Cebu Mayors Osmena, Ouano and Fernandez, and Metro Cebu representatives del Mar, Cuenco, Gullas and Soon-Ruiz.
Bohol became a destination distinct from Cebu since it defeated the terrorist insurgency with community initiatives led by the power tandem of Rico Aumentado and General Johnny Gomez, now the NCR Commander. It now merits its own international airport, just as our country deserves a world-class Constitution strongly supported by Governor Aumentado and the league of local authorities.
Tourism in Palawan requires the upgrading of the airports of Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, San Vicente (hometown of Congressman Alvarez that's why he's clapping) and the building of a new one in Balabac; as well as a continuous road backbone from El Nido to Bataraza.
We will lengthen the Dumaguete runway for tourism as well as electronics. Valencia, Oriental Negros could attract semiconductor firms with power rates subsidized by the geothermal field of Palimpinon. Negros will also advance energy independence with ethanol projects in San Carlos City and Tamlang Valley, once the biofuel law is passed. (You have done your part, Migs)
We will serve Guimaras by the airport being built in Santa Barbara, Iloilo and by a new RORO port in Sibunag. We will link Sipalay via Silay airport funded by the national government and Kabankalan airport being built by its local government. Thank you.
For Bicol's whalesharks, beaches and, of course, Mount Mayon, we have started acquiring the right of way for an international airport in Daraga, Albay. We will provide the means to the perfect surfs of the Pacific by upgrading the airports of Siargao, Guiuan and Tacloban.
We will widen the road to Dakak in Dapitan, and RORO will connect Siquijor to Santander, Cebu; Camiguin to Jagna, Bohol; Ubay, Bohol to Maasin, Southern Leyte, for diving in Limasawa.
We will bring Masbate and Biliran into the RORO Eastern Nautical Highway from Surigao through Leyte through Naval and Maripipi in Biliran through Esperanza, Aroroy and Burias Island in Masbate and on to Bicol. The much-awaited 10-megawatt generator set arrived in Masbate last Saturday. It is ready to power up the province before the end of the month.
Camiguin, Romblon and Camarines Norte got out of the list of poorest provinces in 2003. With tourism these provinces can become rich.
Also winning the war against poverty and calamity, undaunted by unimaginable catastrophe, the valiant people of Southern Leyte, under the leadership of Rosette Lerias and Oging Mercado (our Rudy Guliani) are rebuilding the lives of Saint Bernard and San Francisco from their tragic mudslides. Yesterday, I asked the Japanese government to help Southern Leyte implement an integrated management approach to deal with their critical ecosystem, like the one the World Bank has approved for the Bicol River Basin.
Mindanao is our priority for agribusiness investments in the south.
Mindanao is mostly fertile and largely typhoon-free, exporting coconut products and high value crops, and from its waters come 40% of the country's fish catch. Our investment priorities mirror those for North Luzon, and more because Mindanao has the poorest regions and poorest provinces and because we have to spend on a logistics system linking it to the north.
In 2003 we introduced the RORO from Zamboanga del Norte through Negros, Panay and Mindoro to Batangas. This system has slashed travel time from Mindanao to Luzon from 36 hours to 24 hours, and freight cost by 30 percent, so crucial to food shipments. Now we will develop more routes like the one from Cagayan de Oro through Camiguin, Bohol, Cebu and Masbate to Bicol, the Central Nautical Highway.
Also in 2003, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Tawitawi registered double-digit declines in poverty incidence from the year 2000. Congratulations.
Kitang-kita ang pag-ibayo ng mga isla ng Sulu, Basilan at Tawi-Tawi. Nagbukas ang Jollibee sa Basilan. The Balikatan exercises with the United States, combined with the US GEM program and other donor-assisted projects, have no doubt contributed to this.
Sa Sulu, isang araw ng Mayo, umuulan, nagwakas ang isang mahabang pagtutunggali nang pumasok ang mga kawal at sibilyan sa Kampong Bitan-ag sa Panamao na hawak ng mga rebelde. Nagyakapan at nagkamayan ang dalawang panig. Dahil sa matinding pagnanais para sa kapayapaan ni Marine General Ben Dolorfino, naganap ang pagkakasundo. Gayon natapos ang isang madugong kabanata. Congratulations, General Ben Dolorfino.
Susi sa anumang pag-ibayo ang malakas na suporta at ma-abilidad na liderato ng pamahalaang local. Halimbawa, iyong "from arms to farms¿¿ ni Governor Ben Loong ng Sulu, with his caravan of tractors literally invading former rebel camps in his province. Congratulations.
Mahigit isang linggong nakaraan, dumating sa "Eleven Islands" ang daan-daang rebeldeng at kanilang pamilya, sa pamumuno ng dating MNLF Commander na si Aribari Samson. Dito sa mga pulo na kilalang "no man's island," dati nagtatago ang mga rebelde at criminal. Ngayon sa tulong ng isang programa ng United Nations, nagtayo tayo ng dalawang daang tahanan at panibagong buhay para sa pangkat ni Samson. Thank you for giving peace a chance. Congratulations, Commander Samson.
I take this occasion to express our gratitude to the donor community from the US, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union, Australia, Japan, our ASEAN neighbors, the multilaterals and the rest of the world. Thank you for helping us in our peace process.
If we can harness the forces of good in our nation, the positive force at work here at home and those from abroad such as the US, Malaysia, the OIC and others, we shall prevail in Mindanao with a peace agreement that brings freedom and hope to all Filipinos. With this peace, we would reap dividends in resources invested in agribusiness, not aggression, to build up, not tear down, the Philippine south.
Among the possible peace dividends would be pro-poor road projects like the Siocon-Sirawai-Sibuco-Baligyan Road in Zamboanga del Norte; the Lebak to Maguindanao which Sim Datumanong started when he was Secretary of Public Works; the Dinagat Island road network in Surigao Del Norte; the Hawilian-Salug-Sinakungan barangay road in Agusan del Sur; the Pangil Bay Bridge; and the Surigao-Davao Road, which we want to be as beautiful as the Bukidnon Highway completed during the administration of Joe Zubiri and the term of Migs Zubiri.
Mindanao's number one export, coconuts, has been growing continuously for the last three years, at the rate of 10% a year. The coconut farmers deserve a portion of the peace dividend. I invite Congress and the Bishops-Ulama-Priests-Pastors-Farmer-Lumad Conference led by Archbishop Fernando Capalla to help me ensure their rightful share.
On top of peace and investment, progress also demands good governance. I congratulate Donkoy Emano for the drop in reports of corruption for public contracts in Cagayan de Oro from 65% of firms last year to 38 this year. Also Rudy Duterte and the other leaders of Metro Davao led by Majority Leader Boy Nograles for a similar drop, 57% last year to 49 now. Things are coming together for Mindanao, a prelude to their readiness for eventual federalism.
The Cyber Corridor will boost telecommunications, technology and education. The corridor runs the length of all the super regions, from Baguio to Cebu to Davao. The cities of Davao, Tagum and Samal Island Garden all operate electronic government accounting systems. There are many wings now to the corridor because enterprising local executives like L-Ray Villafuerte and Jerry Trenas have aggressively attracted call centers to their jurisdictions (Congratulations, Jerry) In this corridor, the English and information and communication technology skills of the youth give them a competitive edge in call centers and other business process outsourcing.
In 2001, in this hall, we hailed ICT as a key growth sector. So we built up telecommunications infrastructure and opened the market for Internet phone calls. Today international calls cost 6 cents a minute, down from 40 cents. From 2,000 BPO workers in 2001, we now have 200,000.
I had coffee with some call center agents last Labor Day. Lyn, a new college graduate, told me, "Now I don't have to leave the country in order for me to help my family. Salamat po." I was so touched, Lyn by your comments. With these structural reforms, we not only found jobs, but kept families intact. Thank God, I thought, or someone might also try to impeach me for violating Article 15 of the Constitution on the solidarity of the family as the foundation of the nation.
As Louie Villafuerte argues, to step into the future, a country that wants to be a player in the global economy needs bold and well-funded research and development initiatives of its own. To this end, we will continuously increase the budget for science and technology, and education. For in today's global economy, knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth.
In summary, I named only a few priorities to illustrate that on many fronts, your government is working, and working well. Our economy is now growing over the longest period in the last quarter-century: 22 consecutive quarters of growth. Umakyat ng mahigit tatlumpung porsyento ang kita ng pinakamahihirap na pamilya sa unang tatlong taon ng ating panunungkulan, at bumaba ang dami ng maralita sa 25% ng mga pamilya, mula 28%, katumbas ng dalawang milyong katao na lumaya sa kahirapan. According to Thornton and Punongbayan, 70% of medium-sized business owners are optimistic, the fifth most optimistic among 30 countries, just behind India, Ireland, South Africa and China.
Bickering in politics may delay, but not derail the initiatives that need to be taken on our pro-poor, pro-growth, and pro-peace agenda. Regardless of the fate of the national budget, we must automate our election process. Local governments must get their rightful share of revenues. I ask Congress to pass a supplemental budget to effect this.
We are a great people. We have honest students and honest cops. We have scaled the heights of Mount Everest, dominated the Southeast Asian games, we have won international beauty titles, and of course punched our way to triumph in the boxing world. Our people compete and win every day in every imaginable job throughout the world. Individually, we've taken the world on and won; together, we must take on the challenge of creating a new, peaceful, humane and competitive nation and prevail.
For those who want to pick up old fights, we're game but what a waste of time. Why not join hands instead? Join hands in the biggest challenge of all, where we all win or we all lose: the battle for the survival and progress of our one and only country.
After three years, eleven months, and six days, I shall relinquish the Presidency, with much if not all that I have outlined completed. I do not want it said then that, in the end, I defeated my enemies. I would rather have it said that all of us, you and I, friends and foes today, achieved together a country progressive, prosperous and united.
Thank you. Mabuhay!
Friday, July 21, 2006
Omico rises on talk that mine will reopen
First posted 10:13am (Mla time) July 21, 2006
Xinhua Financial News Service
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10986
OMICO Corp rose on conjecture that it will re-open its copper mine in the northern province of Benguet, dealers said.
In early trading, Omico was the most is heavily traded stock, and was up 0.001 peso or 10 percent at 0.011, on volume of 1.94 million shares.
A column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, without giving any sources, reported that Omico was set to sign a joint venture agreement with a Canadian firm to reopen its Benguet copper mine. The column gave no details.
In 1993, a landslide halted the company's mining operations there.
(1 dollar = 52.29 pesos)
Cecille Yap
Xinhua Financial News Service
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10986
OMICO Corp rose on conjecture that it will re-open its copper mine in the northern province of Benguet, dealers said.
In early trading, Omico was the most is heavily traded stock, and was up 0.001 peso or 10 percent at 0.011, on volume of 1.94 million shares.
A column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, without giving any sources, reported that Omico was set to sign a joint venture agreement with a Canadian firm to reopen its Benguet copper mine. The column gave no details.
In 1993, a landslide halted the company's mining operations there.
(1 dollar = 52.29 pesos)
Cecille Yap
Townsfolk say illegal mining killing farms
First posted 00:23am (Mla time) July 21, 2006
By Jofelle TesorioInquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10912
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Residents of Narra, Palawan have complained of the continued operation of illegal large-scale mining companies in their area, which they blame for the destruction of their environment and the decline in palay production.
Through the newly formed multi-sector environment group, Kilusang Laban sa Mina sa Narra (KLMN), they denounced the government’s inaction on illegal mining operations, particularly that of Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC).
The KLMN said farmers had been constantly complaining of the low yield of their farms ever since PGMC started mining operations in the area.
Eric Segismundo, one of the complaining farmers, said his lowland farms with an area of 1.2 hectares in Barangay San Isidro, Narra, only produces 47 cavans of palay now, much lower than the average yield of 100 cavans in the previous years prior to PGMC’s mining activities.
He said 70 percent, or 37.1 cavans of palay, were lost due to “lateral siltation” brought about by PGMC’s mining operations.
Laterite is a soil layer rich in iron oxide and sometimes aluminum, which forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid.
When concentrated, laterite forms nodules as hard as concrete that tend to “eat up” or suppress the host soil.
By Jofelle TesorioInquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10912
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Residents of Narra, Palawan have complained of the continued operation of illegal large-scale mining companies in their area, which they blame for the destruction of their environment and the decline in palay production.
Through the newly formed multi-sector environment group, Kilusang Laban sa Mina sa Narra (KLMN), they denounced the government’s inaction on illegal mining operations, particularly that of Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC).
The KLMN said farmers had been constantly complaining of the low yield of their farms ever since PGMC started mining operations in the area.
Eric Segismundo, one of the complaining farmers, said his lowland farms with an area of 1.2 hectares in Barangay San Isidro, Narra, only produces 47 cavans of palay now, much lower than the average yield of 100 cavans in the previous years prior to PGMC’s mining activities.
He said 70 percent, or 37.1 cavans of palay, were lost due to “lateral siltation” brought about by PGMC’s mining operations.
Laterite is a soil layer rich in iron oxide and sometimes aluminum, which forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid.
When concentrated, laterite forms nodules as hard as concrete that tend to “eat up” or suppress the host soil.
Monday, July 17, 2006
leading allegations vs Bulacan governor
MisFirst posted 04:41am (Mla time) July 17, 2006
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10188
Editor's Note: Published on page A16 of the July 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS AND balanced reporting, allow me to clarify certain points raised in the news story titled “Mining permits issued by gov, says labor group.” (PDI, 7/4/06) The story was not only grossly unfair to our governor, it was also misleading, to say the least. It did not present our side of the story. The governor could have shed light on the allegations raised against her.
The power of the provincial governor to issue permits and licenses is clearly provided for by the Local Government Code and Sec. 71 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995:“Any qualified person may apply for a quarry permit with the Provincial Governor/City Mayor through the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board for the extraction, removal and disposition of quarry resources covering an area of not more than five (5) hectares for a term of five years from date of issuance.”
The issuance of the permit is scrutinized and deliberated on by members of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB), which is composed of the regional director of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) who sits as chair, and four members who represent the governor (usually, the head of the Environment and Natural Resources Office in the province), small-scale miners, big-scale miners and non-government organizations.
The governor only issues a permit or license upon the endorsement of the PMRB.
The same is true with the issuance of the Environment Compliance Certificate, which is provided for under DENR Admin Order No. 92-30, Sec 3.3. “Guidance for the transfer and implementation of DENR functions devolved to the government units.”
The records of the PMRB show no instance that the province issued a permit to firms sharing a common business address. The province or the board will not embark on clearly unlawful undertakings.
We vehemently deny that Onofre Sebastian—who according to the Inquirer story, was the provincial administrator—was ever a dummy of the governor. Sebastian served as the executive director of a Ford Foundation-funded education project in the province until his death in 2001. I have been the provincial administrator of Bulacan for 14 years now.
The provincial government will continue to fight for the protection, preservation and restoration of the 2,117-hectare Biak na Bato National Park. The allegations against us are diversionary tactics and malicious attempts to confuse the public and discredit our crusade to put a stop to all forms of mining operations in Biak na Bato and to save the park.
The provincial government always makes sure that the issuance of permits and licenses would not lead to the destruction of our natural resources and jeopardize the welfare of all stakeholders.
—MA. GLADYS C. STA. RITA, provincial administrator, Province of Bulacan
The information on the Biak na Bato controversy was given by sources named in the published stories. There was no intention to unduly put the governor in a bad light or muddle the issue. —NORMAN BORDADORA, PDI reporter
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10188
Editor's Note: Published on page A16 of the July 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS AND balanced reporting, allow me to clarify certain points raised in the news story titled “Mining permits issued by gov, says labor group.” (PDI, 7/4/06) The story was not only grossly unfair to our governor, it was also misleading, to say the least. It did not present our side of the story. The governor could have shed light on the allegations raised against her.
The power of the provincial governor to issue permits and licenses is clearly provided for by the Local Government Code and Sec. 71 of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995:“Any qualified person may apply for a quarry permit with the Provincial Governor/City Mayor through the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board for the extraction, removal and disposition of quarry resources covering an area of not more than five (5) hectares for a term of five years from date of issuance.”
The issuance of the permit is scrutinized and deliberated on by members of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB), which is composed of the regional director of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) who sits as chair, and four members who represent the governor (usually, the head of the Environment and Natural Resources Office in the province), small-scale miners, big-scale miners and non-government organizations.
The governor only issues a permit or license upon the endorsement of the PMRB.
The same is true with the issuance of the Environment Compliance Certificate, which is provided for under DENR Admin Order No. 92-30, Sec 3.3. “Guidance for the transfer and implementation of DENR functions devolved to the government units.”
The records of the PMRB show no instance that the province issued a permit to firms sharing a common business address. The province or the board will not embark on clearly unlawful undertakings.
We vehemently deny that Onofre Sebastian—who according to the Inquirer story, was the provincial administrator—was ever a dummy of the governor. Sebastian served as the executive director of a Ford Foundation-funded education project in the province until his death in 2001. I have been the provincial administrator of Bulacan for 14 years now.
The provincial government will continue to fight for the protection, preservation and restoration of the 2,117-hectare Biak na Bato National Park. The allegations against us are diversionary tactics and malicious attempts to confuse the public and discredit our crusade to put a stop to all forms of mining operations in Biak na Bato and to save the park.
The provincial government always makes sure that the issuance of permits and licenses would not lead to the destruction of our natural resources and jeopardize the welfare of all stakeholders.
—MA. GLADYS C. STA. RITA, provincial administrator, Province of Bulacan
The information on the Biak na Bato controversy was given by sources named in the published stories. There was no intention to unduly put the governor in a bad light or muddle the issue. —NORMAN BORDADORA, PDI reporter
Reyes puts Bulacan governor in her place
AS I SEE ITAs I See It :
First posted 04:15am (Mla time) July 17, 2006
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10182
Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the July 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE LATEST BATTLE OF BIAK NA BATO IS over. Environment Secretary Angelo T. Reyes ended it by stopping all marble quarry operations at the site of the national park in the municipalities of Doña Remedios Trinidad and San Miguel in Bulacan.
There is some sort of a “gold rush” for miners there, except that they are not mining for gold but for the rare—and therefore very expensive—tea rose marble. It is the curse of Biak na Bato that instead of being made up of ordinary rock, the entire hill is made up of this unique marble that is much in demand in the international market.
Only one operator has a legal quarry license and a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with the government, but those were canceled by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 1986. The court case involving this cancellation is still pending with the Supreme Court.
There are many small-scale miners operating at the site, however; and they are poaching on the mineral reservation of the one legal license holder, Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp. (RMDC). It seems Bulacan Gov. Josie de la Cruz has made her office another DENR by issuing small-scale quarry permits to her friends.
The events that led to the sudden cessation of quarry operations at Biak na Bato has an ironic, even humorous, twist.
Presenting herself as an environmentalist, the governor waged a high-profile campaign against Rosemoor. She denounced the quarrying of tea rose marble at Biak na Bato as destructive to the environment. Her purpose was to have Rosemoor’s quarry rights to Biak na Bato canceled by the DENR so that her own allies could take over. In doing so, however, she locked horns with the DENR’s Reyes, whom she tried to pressure into canceling Rosemoor’s quarrying rights. She even caused the installation of a giant billboard at the grounds of the Bulacan provincial capitol, recording the number of days that Reyes had let pass without a decision on the quarrying at Biak na Bato. She bit more than she could chew.
Last July 12, Reyes did make a decision—and it shocked De la Cruz. Reyes did suspend the quarrying operations of Rosemoor, as she had urged, but also stopped all quarrying by her friends. Reyes canceled all the small-scale mining permits the office of De la Cruz had issued to quarry operators. They constitute usurpation of authority reserved solely for the DENR, Reyes said in his decision.
De la Cruz’s drumbeaters have been trying to put a positive spin to the DENR decision. “Reyes blinked,” they said, due to the pressure she has been exerting. Hogwash! Reyes’ ruling put De la Cruz in her place.
Now she is not only facing plunder charges filed by Rosemoor but also the prospect of being charged, together with other Bulacan provincial officials, with usurpation of authority for issuing permits only the DENR is authorized by law to issue.
Rosemoor’s license was suspended for deficiencies in the payment of excise taxes, occupation fees and royalties; likewise, for failure to put up measures to prevent air and water pollution; and for failure to present an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program. The DENR said the operations of Rosemoor would remain suspended until it shall have complied with all the proper housekeeping rules promulgated by the department.
Reyes also ordered the National Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force (NAECTAF), led by Undersecretary Roy Kyamko, to coordinate with the Philippine National Police to ensure full implementation of the DENR order.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) was instructed to immediately make a comprehensive hydrological assessment of the entire area to determine the impact of the quarry operations on the surrounding water bodies.
May I suggest that the Department of Tourism be also called in to develop and promote this historic site into a tourist spot. Cancel all quarry permits at the site permanently, and restore the original boundaries of the Biak na Bato National Park, as proclaimed by President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937. Where it is now, the tea rose marble is more valuable than all the money that can be earned from selling it. You cannot put any price on patrimony.
* * *
If Malacañang factotums could dare try to bribe bishops (who have taken a vow of poverty), imagine what they could do and have been doing to people who are more materialistic and are more susceptible to earthly temptations. No amount of denial by Malacañang’s mouthpieces could make the people believe that there was no such bribery attempt. What? Are they saying that the bishops are liars?
In truth, the policy of this administration is: Every man has his price. That is how Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her minions have been able to hide the truth, evade impeachment, cling to power and usurp position and power—by bribery. Because they have been largely successful in this enterprise, they now have the courage to try it on the men of the cloth. Imagine, Palace officials trying to bribe holy men whose only desire is to fight evil and follow the teachings of Christ. What will they try next?
* * *
First posted 04:15am (Mla time) July 17, 2006
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10182
Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the July 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE LATEST BATTLE OF BIAK NA BATO IS over. Environment Secretary Angelo T. Reyes ended it by stopping all marble quarry operations at the site of the national park in the municipalities of Doña Remedios Trinidad and San Miguel in Bulacan.
There is some sort of a “gold rush” for miners there, except that they are not mining for gold but for the rare—and therefore very expensive—tea rose marble. It is the curse of Biak na Bato that instead of being made up of ordinary rock, the entire hill is made up of this unique marble that is much in demand in the international market.
Only one operator has a legal quarry license and a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with the government, but those were canceled by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 1986. The court case involving this cancellation is still pending with the Supreme Court.
There are many small-scale miners operating at the site, however; and they are poaching on the mineral reservation of the one legal license holder, Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp. (RMDC). It seems Bulacan Gov. Josie de la Cruz has made her office another DENR by issuing small-scale quarry permits to her friends.
The events that led to the sudden cessation of quarry operations at Biak na Bato has an ironic, even humorous, twist.
Presenting herself as an environmentalist, the governor waged a high-profile campaign against Rosemoor. She denounced the quarrying of tea rose marble at Biak na Bato as destructive to the environment. Her purpose was to have Rosemoor’s quarry rights to Biak na Bato canceled by the DENR so that her own allies could take over. In doing so, however, she locked horns with the DENR’s Reyes, whom she tried to pressure into canceling Rosemoor’s quarrying rights. She even caused the installation of a giant billboard at the grounds of the Bulacan provincial capitol, recording the number of days that Reyes had let pass without a decision on the quarrying at Biak na Bato. She bit more than she could chew.
Last July 12, Reyes did make a decision—and it shocked De la Cruz. Reyes did suspend the quarrying operations of Rosemoor, as she had urged, but also stopped all quarrying by her friends. Reyes canceled all the small-scale mining permits the office of De la Cruz had issued to quarry operators. They constitute usurpation of authority reserved solely for the DENR, Reyes said in his decision.
De la Cruz’s drumbeaters have been trying to put a positive spin to the DENR decision. “Reyes blinked,” they said, due to the pressure she has been exerting. Hogwash! Reyes’ ruling put De la Cruz in her place.
Now she is not only facing plunder charges filed by Rosemoor but also the prospect of being charged, together with other Bulacan provincial officials, with usurpation of authority for issuing permits only the DENR is authorized by law to issue.
Rosemoor’s license was suspended for deficiencies in the payment of excise taxes, occupation fees and royalties; likewise, for failure to put up measures to prevent air and water pollution; and for failure to present an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program. The DENR said the operations of Rosemoor would remain suspended until it shall have complied with all the proper housekeeping rules promulgated by the department.
Reyes also ordered the National Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force (NAECTAF), led by Undersecretary Roy Kyamko, to coordinate with the Philippine National Police to ensure full implementation of the DENR order.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) was instructed to immediately make a comprehensive hydrological assessment of the entire area to determine the impact of the quarry operations on the surrounding water bodies.
May I suggest that the Department of Tourism be also called in to develop and promote this historic site into a tourist spot. Cancel all quarry permits at the site permanently, and restore the original boundaries of the Biak na Bato National Park, as proclaimed by President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937. Where it is now, the tea rose marble is more valuable than all the money that can be earned from selling it. You cannot put any price on patrimony.
* * *
If Malacañang factotums could dare try to bribe bishops (who have taken a vow of poverty), imagine what they could do and have been doing to people who are more materialistic and are more susceptible to earthly temptations. No amount of denial by Malacañang’s mouthpieces could make the people believe that there was no such bribery attempt. What? Are they saying that the bishops are liars?
In truth, the policy of this administration is: Every man has his price. That is how Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her minions have been able to hide the truth, evade impeachment, cling to power and usurp position and power—by bribery. Because they have been largely successful in this enterprise, they now have the courage to try it on the men of the cloth. Imagine, Palace officials trying to bribe holy men whose only desire is to fight evil and follow the teachings of Christ. What will they try next?
* * *
Friday, July 14, 2006
Confusing economic views and directions
First posted 01:01am (Mla time) July 14, 2006
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9684
Editor's Note: Published on Page A14 of the July 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THERE’S no way the country’s economy can move forward until and unless our economists and economic planners get their act together or make sense of themselves.
Consider this: Every time the peso strengthens vis-à-vis the dollar, the economists would caution against a very strong peso, which they say would impact adversely on the competitiveness of our export industry, one of the country’s engines of economic growth.
Just recently, when the peso was about to hit the P50-$1 rate, it was reported in the newspapers that the central bank was forced to intervene in the exchange market to prevent the peso from gaining further strength versus the dollar.
Also recently, there were news reports that billions of pesos in potential government revenues were being squandered because of the indiscriminate granting of tax incentives or tax holidays to industries. Such incentives are turning out to be unnecessary and redundant, because the grantees, such as Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, will invest anyway without those incentives.
And as if to add insult to injury, Lafayette Philippines Inc., a cause of environmental pollution in Sorsogon province, was reported to have been given P4.5 billion in tax breaks. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist, or have a postgraduate degree from Harvard, to figure out that it would be better to give these billions of pesos worth of redundant tax breaks to the export industry while allowing the peso to freely appreciate or strengthen to the highest level possible.
Common sense tells us that a strong peso is very good for the country for a hundred reasons, such as a lower debt burden, lower oil prices that mean lower production costs and lower prices of goods and electricity, lower fares in public transport, etc.
Congress, especially the Senate, should investigate the indiscriminate grant of tax incentives as it is clearly disadvantageous to the government and may, in fact, be a source of graft. The environmental groups opposed to mining, together with the commission that investigated the Lafayette incident, should study whether it is appropriate to ask the courts to stop the operation of Lafayette, given the huge tax breaks extended to this firm which is clearly inimical to the interest of the public.
It is downright absurd and inconceivable to grant so much favors to a company that is out to exploit the country’s resources and whose track record in caring for the environment has been proven wanting.
ROBERT DEFENSOR (via e-mail)
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9684
Editor's Note: Published on Page A14 of the July 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THERE’S no way the country’s economy can move forward until and unless our economists and economic planners get their act together or make sense of themselves.
Consider this: Every time the peso strengthens vis-à-vis the dollar, the economists would caution against a very strong peso, which they say would impact adversely on the competitiveness of our export industry, one of the country’s engines of economic growth.
Just recently, when the peso was about to hit the P50-$1 rate, it was reported in the newspapers that the central bank was forced to intervene in the exchange market to prevent the peso from gaining further strength versus the dollar.
Also recently, there were news reports that billions of pesos in potential government revenues were being squandered because of the indiscriminate granting of tax incentives or tax holidays to industries. Such incentives are turning out to be unnecessary and redundant, because the grantees, such as Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, will invest anyway without those incentives.
And as if to add insult to injury, Lafayette Philippines Inc., a cause of environmental pollution in Sorsogon province, was reported to have been given P4.5 billion in tax breaks. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist, or have a postgraduate degree from Harvard, to figure out that it would be better to give these billions of pesos worth of redundant tax breaks to the export industry while allowing the peso to freely appreciate or strengthen to the highest level possible.
Common sense tells us that a strong peso is very good for the country for a hundred reasons, such as a lower debt burden, lower oil prices that mean lower production costs and lower prices of goods and electricity, lower fares in public transport, etc.
Congress, especially the Senate, should investigate the indiscriminate grant of tax incentives as it is clearly disadvantageous to the government and may, in fact, be a source of graft. The environmental groups opposed to mining, together with the commission that investigated the Lafayette incident, should study whether it is appropriate to ask the courts to stop the operation of Lafayette, given the huge tax breaks extended to this firm which is clearly inimical to the interest of the public.
It is downright absurd and inconceivable to grant so much favors to a company that is out to exploit the country’s resources and whose track record in caring for the environment has been proven wanting.
ROBERT DEFENSOR (via e-mail)
Biak na Bato may soon be Durog na Bato
AS I SEE ITAs I See It :
First posted 00:48am (Mla time) July 14, 2006
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9680
Editor's Note: Published on Page A12 of the July 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
BIAK na Bato in Bulacan province is an important place in our history. It was here where Andres Bonifacio and his Katipuneros met and held secret rituals, and it was here where the Pact of Biak na Bato was concluded.
“Biak na bato” is Tagalog for “split rock.” Here, a hill of solid rock rises to the sky. In the middle of the rock is a cleft so that it appears as if it was split in two. This cleft is the entrance to the caves where the Katipuneros hid from the Spaniards.
Because of the historic significance of the place, President Manuel L. Quezon in 1935 proclaimed 2,117 hectares of the area as the Biak na Bato National Park. But despite being proclaimed a protected area, Biak na Bato may soon disappear from the face of the earth if the government doesn’t do something quickly. It turns out now that this massive hill is not made of ordinary rock. It is made up of a rare, rose-colored and expensive marble.
Miners or quarry operators, all but one of them illegal, are tearing the rock down with explosives, machines and pick and shovel to get the marble and even the marble dust. There are now at least 24 illegal marble cutting, limestone processing and aggregate crushing plants in Bulacan, all frantically tearing down Biak na Bato.
Only one of them, Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp. (RMDC), has a valid license from the Bureau of Mines and an Environment Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is not operating now. However, dozens of illegal small-scale miners are operating there. Murders have been committed, and Bulacan’s own governor is facing plunder charges before the Ombudsman because of this.
How did this happen? How can this be happening in a country with a democratic government like ours?
According to records filed in court, it goes back to the Commonwealth era, when Quezon declared Biak na Bato on Mt. Nabio as a national park. In 1982, Dr. Alejandro de la Concha, Pedro de la Concha, Dr. Rufo Guzman and Dr. Lourdes Sempio Pascual were able to convince President Ferdinand Marcos that part of Biak na Bato belonged to their family since 1896 by virtue of a “Titulo Royal de Possessoria de Sr. Joaquin de la Concha” covering an area of 5,000 hectares. In June 1982, Marcos issued Proclamation 2204 excluding 330 hectares of solid marble deposits from the national park, and this exclusion was approved by the Batasang Pambansa in the same year. Meanwhile, the group formed for the mining of the marble deposits and was subsequently given a quarry license.
RMDC started the development of the area by building roads and bunkers in 1982, but in 1986 Environment Secretary Ernesto Maceda cancelled its quarrying license. RMDC went to court and won in the regional trial court of Quezon City and in the Court of Appeals. The government appealed the decision to the Supreme Court where the case is now pending.
In the meantime, illegal miners, using dynamite, crude quarrying methods and equipment, flourished in the area. Somebody with the same surname as Dr. Lourdes Sempio Pascual, president of RMDC, using a “falsified Deed of Assignment” wherein Pascual purportedly gave to him all the rights in RMDC, issued to still another person an authority to conduct mining activities on the quarry site. Thus, impostors were able to usurp possession of the quarry site from RMDC.
In 1999, according to documents on file with the Department of Justice, Bulacan Gov. Josie de la Cruz allegedly “became interested in the quarry site of RMDC.” She convinced Pascual to give her an “operating agreement” to be able to give jobs to her constituents. And then she formed Tea Rose Marble Corp.
These intrigues had a violent and macabre aftermath. The chief of security of RMDC was murdered. The suspected mastermind was in turn murdered by a “Sparrow Unit” of the New People’s Army. A day after his burial, his grave was forcibly opened and his coffin stolen. His nude corpse was left leaning on his grave.
The governor, according to records in the DOJ, acts like a miniature DENR. She allegedly issues small-scale mining permits, transport permits, environment clearance certificates, certificates of non-coverage of environmental impact assessments, etc., all of which the DENR has protested since provincial governments are not authorized to issue such certificates.
Biak na Bato National Park is now in the middle of a tug of war between vested interests. Environmental NGOs are with the governor in opposing mining at Biak na Bato. But RMDC claims that, under the cloak of protecting the environment, the plan is to have its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement cancelled and then open up the site to small-scale mining operations under the governor’s control.
The DENR has to act fast here. Even as the wrangling goes on, quarrying continues and Biak na Bato is getting smaller. The director of mines can legally cancel the mining permit. After all, even if the land is privately owned, the marble deposits, by law, belong to the state. That is why there is a sharing agreement between the miner and the government.
But if RMDC’s license is cancelled, small-scale mining operators will likely take over, using permits issued by the provincial government. I do not think our mining laws allow this, but the Local Government Code muddles things. Congress should straighten things out or else Biak na Bato and other historic places will be gone before our grandchildren realize what is happening.
First posted 00:48am (Mla time) July 14, 2006
By Neal Cruz
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9680
Editor's Note: Published on Page A12 of the July 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
BIAK na Bato in Bulacan province is an important place in our history. It was here where Andres Bonifacio and his Katipuneros met and held secret rituals, and it was here where the Pact of Biak na Bato was concluded.
“Biak na bato” is Tagalog for “split rock.” Here, a hill of solid rock rises to the sky. In the middle of the rock is a cleft so that it appears as if it was split in two. This cleft is the entrance to the caves where the Katipuneros hid from the Spaniards.
Because of the historic significance of the place, President Manuel L. Quezon in 1935 proclaimed 2,117 hectares of the area as the Biak na Bato National Park. But despite being proclaimed a protected area, Biak na Bato may soon disappear from the face of the earth if the government doesn’t do something quickly. It turns out now that this massive hill is not made of ordinary rock. It is made up of a rare, rose-colored and expensive marble.
Miners or quarry operators, all but one of them illegal, are tearing the rock down with explosives, machines and pick and shovel to get the marble and even the marble dust. There are now at least 24 illegal marble cutting, limestone processing and aggregate crushing plants in Bulacan, all frantically tearing down Biak na Bato.
Only one of them, Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp. (RMDC), has a valid license from the Bureau of Mines and an Environment Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is not operating now. However, dozens of illegal small-scale miners are operating there. Murders have been committed, and Bulacan’s own governor is facing plunder charges before the Ombudsman because of this.
How did this happen? How can this be happening in a country with a democratic government like ours?
According to records filed in court, it goes back to the Commonwealth era, when Quezon declared Biak na Bato on Mt. Nabio as a national park. In 1982, Dr. Alejandro de la Concha, Pedro de la Concha, Dr. Rufo Guzman and Dr. Lourdes Sempio Pascual were able to convince President Ferdinand Marcos that part of Biak na Bato belonged to their family since 1896 by virtue of a “Titulo Royal de Possessoria de Sr. Joaquin de la Concha” covering an area of 5,000 hectares. In June 1982, Marcos issued Proclamation 2204 excluding 330 hectares of solid marble deposits from the national park, and this exclusion was approved by the Batasang Pambansa in the same year. Meanwhile, the group formed for the mining of the marble deposits and was subsequently given a quarry license.
RMDC started the development of the area by building roads and bunkers in 1982, but in 1986 Environment Secretary Ernesto Maceda cancelled its quarrying license. RMDC went to court and won in the regional trial court of Quezon City and in the Court of Appeals. The government appealed the decision to the Supreme Court where the case is now pending.
In the meantime, illegal miners, using dynamite, crude quarrying methods and equipment, flourished in the area. Somebody with the same surname as Dr. Lourdes Sempio Pascual, president of RMDC, using a “falsified Deed of Assignment” wherein Pascual purportedly gave to him all the rights in RMDC, issued to still another person an authority to conduct mining activities on the quarry site. Thus, impostors were able to usurp possession of the quarry site from RMDC.
In 1999, according to documents on file with the Department of Justice, Bulacan Gov. Josie de la Cruz allegedly “became interested in the quarry site of RMDC.” She convinced Pascual to give her an “operating agreement” to be able to give jobs to her constituents. And then she formed Tea Rose Marble Corp.
These intrigues had a violent and macabre aftermath. The chief of security of RMDC was murdered. The suspected mastermind was in turn murdered by a “Sparrow Unit” of the New People’s Army. A day after his burial, his grave was forcibly opened and his coffin stolen. His nude corpse was left leaning on his grave.
The governor, according to records in the DOJ, acts like a miniature DENR. She allegedly issues small-scale mining permits, transport permits, environment clearance certificates, certificates of non-coverage of environmental impact assessments, etc., all of which the DENR has protested since provincial governments are not authorized to issue such certificates.
Biak na Bato National Park is now in the middle of a tug of war between vested interests. Environmental NGOs are with the governor in opposing mining at Biak na Bato. But RMDC claims that, under the cloak of protecting the environment, the plan is to have its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement cancelled and then open up the site to small-scale mining operations under the governor’s control.
The DENR has to act fast here. Even as the wrangling goes on, quarrying continues and Biak na Bato is getting smaller. The director of mines can legally cancel the mining permit. After all, even if the land is privately owned, the marble deposits, by law, belong to the state. That is why there is a sharing agreement between the miner and the government.
But if RMDC’s license is cancelled, small-scale mining operators will likely take over, using permits issued by the provincial government. I do not think our mining laws allow this, but the Local Government Code muddles things. Congress should straighten things out or else Biak na Bato and other historic places will be gone before our grandchildren realize what is happening.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Fears raised over mining dam in danger of collapse
First posted 11:32pm (Mla time) July 13, 2006
By Gerald Gene R. Querubin
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9665
Editor's Note: Published on Page A19 of the July 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
BOAC, MARINDUQUE—A non-government organization here raised concerns over the possible collapse of a mining dam that had been abandoned following massive spills in 1996.
Concerns over the dam came as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified 35 barangays in this province where landslides can possibly occur.
The MGB, in an earlier report, identified Marinduque as the seventh most landslide-prone province in the country.
The MGB identified the landslide-prone areas in a study and ocular inspection report.
Of the villages tagged as landslide-prone, eight are in the town of Boac, six in Gasan, three in Buenavista, seven in Sta. Cruz and 11 in Torrijos.
Aside from landslides, provincial board member Allan Nepomuceno, committee on public order and safety chair, and the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns, raised concerns on the possible collapse of a Marcopper dam.
According to them, engineers from the Marcopper Mining Corp. (MMC) have admitted that they had monitored leaks at the structures of the Makulapnit Dam, which is in imminent danger of collapse because of its rapid deterioration.
Should it break, 34 million cubic meters of water and silt will cascade down the Boac River.
“With the continuous heavy rains that we are experiencing now, the aging dam may not be able to hold additional volume of water and burst. This is the same scenario in 1995 before the tragic mine tailings spillage occurred a year after in 1996,” Nepomuceno said.
In March 1996, the whole town of Boac was submerged in flood waters and tailings brought about by a collapsed tunnel of MMC’s Tapian Pit.
The MGB said people living in the villages that were tagged landslide-prone must be forewarned.
The bureau said an information campaign was needed to prompt people in the villages to prepare for disasters and prevent a tragedy similar to that which struck Guinsaugon town in Southern Leyte.
Almost 1,000 people, many of them children, were buried alive in Guinsaugon.
In December 2005, two persons died when their hut was hit and covered by mud and rocks in Duyay, Boac.
In a study made by engineer Cirilo Monilla, a professor of the Marinduque State College, only four of the six municipalities of Marinduque have the capacity to respond immediately to disasters, such as landslides and flash floods.
The municipalities of Boac, Gasan, Sta. Cruz and Torrijos passed the criteria of preparedness.
The towns of Mogpog and Buenavista must improve their respective disaster preparedness programs, the study said.
Makulapnit Dam is among the dams of MMC identified to be in “imminent danger of collapsing” by the United States Geological Services, which made a two-year survey and assessment of the March 1996 Marcopper tailings spill.
Makulapnit Dam was built to supply water for MMC’s operations and for household use of residences near it.
By Gerald Gene R. Querubin
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9665
Editor's Note: Published on Page A19 of the July 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
BOAC, MARINDUQUE—A non-government organization here raised concerns over the possible collapse of a mining dam that had been abandoned following massive spills in 1996.
Concerns over the dam came as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified 35 barangays in this province where landslides can possibly occur.
The MGB, in an earlier report, identified Marinduque as the seventh most landslide-prone province in the country.
The MGB identified the landslide-prone areas in a study and ocular inspection report.
Of the villages tagged as landslide-prone, eight are in the town of Boac, six in Gasan, three in Buenavista, seven in Sta. Cruz and 11 in Torrijos.
Aside from landslides, provincial board member Allan Nepomuceno, committee on public order and safety chair, and the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns, raised concerns on the possible collapse of a Marcopper dam.
According to them, engineers from the Marcopper Mining Corp. (MMC) have admitted that they had monitored leaks at the structures of the Makulapnit Dam, which is in imminent danger of collapse because of its rapid deterioration.
Should it break, 34 million cubic meters of water and silt will cascade down the Boac River.
“With the continuous heavy rains that we are experiencing now, the aging dam may not be able to hold additional volume of water and burst. This is the same scenario in 1995 before the tragic mine tailings spillage occurred a year after in 1996,” Nepomuceno said.
In March 1996, the whole town of Boac was submerged in flood waters and tailings brought about by a collapsed tunnel of MMC’s Tapian Pit.
The MGB said people living in the villages that were tagged landslide-prone must be forewarned.
The bureau said an information campaign was needed to prompt people in the villages to prepare for disasters and prevent a tragedy similar to that which struck Guinsaugon town in Southern Leyte.
Almost 1,000 people, many of them children, were buried alive in Guinsaugon.
In December 2005, two persons died when their hut was hit and covered by mud and rocks in Duyay, Boac.
In a study made by engineer Cirilo Monilla, a professor of the Marinduque State College, only four of the six municipalities of Marinduque have the capacity to respond immediately to disasters, such as landslides and flash floods.
The municipalities of Boac, Gasan, Sta. Cruz and Torrijos passed the criteria of preparedness.
The towns of Mogpog and Buenavista must improve their respective disaster preparedness programs, the study said.
Makulapnit Dam is among the dams of MMC identified to be in “imminent danger of collapsing” by the United States Geological Services, which made a two-year survey and assessment of the March 1996 Marcopper tailings spill.
Makulapnit Dam was built to supply water for MMC’s operations and for household use of residences near it.
Lepanto to open copper mine in Benguet
First posted 01:45am (Mla time) July 13, 2006
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9518
AFTER suspending its copper operations for about five years, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. plans to reopening its copper mine in Mankayan town in the northern province of Benguet by September in view of the rising metal prices in the world market, company chairman Felipe Yap said.
Copper prices have surged to a high of $3 a pound in the international market this year, from a low of 70 cents in 2001 that had made it difficult for Lepanto to continue operating the Mankayan mine, Yap said.
Lepanto, incorporated in 1936, operated an enargite copper mine until 1997, when it shifted to gold production through its Victoria Project in Benguet.
It operated a copper flotation plant from August 2000 to December 2001, when copper operations were suspended.
Lepanto sells its gold to Johnson Matthey and Heraeus Ltd. in Hong Kong.
Its copper concentrates were sold through metals trading firms Trafigura Beheer in Switzerland and Centrotrade Minerals and Metals in Canada.
With INQ7.net
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9518
AFTER suspending its copper operations for about five years, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. plans to reopening its copper mine in Mankayan town in the northern province of Benguet by September in view of the rising metal prices in the world market, company chairman Felipe Yap said.
Copper prices have surged to a high of $3 a pound in the international market this year, from a low of 70 cents in 2001 that had made it difficult for Lepanto to continue operating the Mankayan mine, Yap said.
Lepanto, incorporated in 1936, operated an enargite copper mine until 1997, when it shifted to gold production through its Victoria Project in Benguet.
It operated a copper flotation plant from August 2000 to December 2001, when copper operations were suspended.
Lepanto sells its gold to Johnson Matthey and Heraeus Ltd. in Hong Kong.
Its copper concentrates were sold through metals trading firms Trafigura Beheer in Switzerland and Centrotrade Minerals and Metals in Canada.
With INQ7.net
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Two Australian firms to merge into A$523-M gold company
First posted 03:26pm (Mla time) July 11, 2006
XFN-Asia
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9236
SYDNEY--Oceana Gold Ltd. and Climax Mining Ltd. have agreed to merge to create a 523 million Australian dollar gold mining company.
They said the company, which will retain the name Oceana Gold, was forecast to have annual production of over 550,000 ounces of gold equivalent by 2008 from mines in New Zealand and the Philippines.
Output will include gold, copper and silver.
The pair said the merged company would also have reserves of 4.8 million ounces of gold equivalent.
Under the merger terms, Climax shareholders will receive 0.62 of an Oceana share and 0.31 of an option to acquire Oceana shares for each Climax share held. The share option entitles Climax shareholders to acquire Oceana shares for 0.0925 Australian dollars, with the option maturing in 30 months.
The share offer represents a 27 percent premium to the weighted average share price of Climax over the past 30 days.
Former Climax shareholders will own about 44 percent of the merged company.
Oceana's assets include New Zealand's largest gold mine at the Macraes goldfield, which produces 170,000 ounces a year, and two new development projects that will increase gold production to 300,000 ounces a year by 2008.
Climax's principal asset is the still-to-be-developed Dinkidi gold and copper deposit in Northern Luzon, Philippines.
The project, which gained a development permit last year, is expected to yield an average of 260,000 gold equivalent ounces a year for the first 10 years, comprising 130,000 ounces of gold and 14,000 metric tons of copper in concentrate.
(One dollar = 1.33 Australian dollars)
XFN-Asia
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=9236
SYDNEY--Oceana Gold Ltd. and Climax Mining Ltd. have agreed to merge to create a 523 million Australian dollar gold mining company.
They said the company, which will retain the name Oceana Gold, was forecast to have annual production of over 550,000 ounces of gold equivalent by 2008 from mines in New Zealand and the Philippines.
Output will include gold, copper and silver.
The pair said the merged company would also have reserves of 4.8 million ounces of gold equivalent.
Under the merger terms, Climax shareholders will receive 0.62 of an Oceana share and 0.31 of an option to acquire Oceana shares for each Climax share held. The share option entitles Climax shareholders to acquire Oceana shares for 0.0925 Australian dollars, with the option maturing in 30 months.
The share offer represents a 27 percent premium to the weighted average share price of Climax over the past 30 days.
Former Climax shareholders will own about 44 percent of the merged company.
Oceana's assets include New Zealand's largest gold mine at the Macraes goldfield, which produces 170,000 ounces a year, and two new development projects that will increase gold production to 300,000 ounces a year by 2008.
Climax's principal asset is the still-to-be-developed Dinkidi gold and copper deposit in Northern Luzon, Philippines.
The project, which gained a development permit last year, is expected to yield an average of 260,000 gold equivalent ounces a year for the first 10 years, comprising 130,000 ounces of gold and 14,000 metric tons of copper in concentrate.
(One dollar = 1.33 Australian dollars)
Monday, July 10, 2006
Actions Against San Roque - Jan-Mar 2001
Tongtongan Ti Umili
January - March 15 2001
Source:International Rivers Network website http://www.irn.org/programs/sanroque/010516.0301update.html
On the Project and Government Actions
Dam Construction Now Cost 75% of Its Total BudgetThe ongoing construction of the San Roque dam project has cost the SRPC 75% of its total budget. The total cost of the dam project is P1.19B. According to John Lockwood , the Resident manager of the SRPC, the whole dam construction is now over the half-way mark and is expected to be finished by year 2002. The progress of construction for the actual dam is 40% to completion, the power house at 60% and the present work at the spillway is half-concreting.
The SRPC currently employs 4,000 workers, but for the actual operation it would only need 50 employees.
In a related development, Benguet Congressman Ronaldo Cosalan, Presidentail Assistant Diaz, and top officials of the NPC made an ocular visit to San Roque project site. During the visit various related projects such as tourism development, housing subdivision and road construction that directly links San Manuel to Itogon were taken up.
Itogon Resolution on San Roque Dam Deferred; P137.79 M for IWMP ReleasedThe Municipal Council of Itogon, Benguet revoked its endorsement of the San Roque Dam Project last January 3, 2001. The Council, in their review of the commitments, chided the national government for deceiving the Ibalois. According to Vice-Mayor Kato; "We have given them (government) time to prove their worth but they are worthless."
But the transmittal of the resolution of withdrawal to concerned government agencies was deferred. This is to give time for the NPC to comply until March 31 with its commitment to the people of Itogon.
In a related development, Vice-Mayor Kato lauded the new DMB Secretary for the releases of P137.79 M for the initial funding requirement of the Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP).
The Vice-Mayor said; "The people and local officials of Benguet are getting favorable actions. I think the body (municipal council) will have to reconsider its action," (Please see Attachment B for the other details).
2,849-Megawatt Potential of Cordillera RiversA comprehensive study of the potential hydropower sources in the Cordillera region showed that 2,849 megawatt is yet untapped.
The National Power Corporation (NPC), which made the study, revealed that the potential sources maybe developed into large, small, and minihydro dams. The study indicates that the province of Apayao offers the biggest source of hydropower with a total of 911 potential megawatts. Hydropower sources in this province are located in the Municipalities of Calanasan, Pudtol, Luna, and Cabugao. The same study showed that Mt. Province offers the lowest hydropotential with a total of 119 megawatt. These sources are found in the Municipalities of Sabangan, Baulso, Tadian, Sagada, and Besao.
The study was conducted to draw-up plans to augment the power capacity of the Luzon Grid. NPC explained that the study is also part of the preparation for the establishment of a deregulated power industry once the Omnibus Power Bill is approved.
A few years back , NPC started to implement its program for megawatt capacity addition from three hydro power sources in Cordillera-Northern Luzon Area. In its year 2000 Power Development Program, it calendared the implementation of three additional power plants for the period 2001 to 2005. With these new hyrdoplants, the NPC expects to augment the megawatt capacity of the Luzon Grid with a total of 561 megawatts from the Bakun Hydro, Casecnan Hydro, and San Roque Hydro.
Barangay Officials Harass Dam-Affected PeasantsLast March 10, 2001 in the evening, the three barangay officials from Barangay Narra, San Manuel entered Sitio Calmangaan and harassed the dam-affected peasants in the area. The three barangay officials were identified as Barngay Captain Bartolome Salcedo, Kagawad Boy Isidro, and Kagawad Gorospe.
According to a peasant in the area, the three entered the Sitio upon knowledge of the peasant organization's preparation for their organizational launching on March 13. They were after one of the organizers of the activity.
At nine in the evening, the organizers planned to go back to Sitio Camangaan to rest for the night. It was about that time, too, that shots were heard from a nearby house. The residents in the area said that the barangay officials fired their guns to instill fear in the community. "Nagpaputok sila para manakot," claimed one resident who refused to be identified.
After the firing incident, the three went to Narra proper.
After a couple of minutes, the organizers, thinking that everything was all right, wanted to go on with their plan to spend the night at Sitio Camangaan. But a resident who came from Narra proper advised them to stay in the community where they were safer. He reported that the barangay officials who were already drunk at that time were waiting for the organizers at Narra Proper. They were fully armed. Kagawad Boy Isidro even slapped a resident of the barangay who refused to reveal the whereabouts of the organizers.
It took Pastor Antonino Marzan of the United Methodist Church (UMC) and Kagawad Lodivico Collado and the police to ensure the safe passage of the organizers of the peasant organization to Sitio Camangaan and ensure their safety for the night.
The incident was the worst harassment documented so far with regards to the organizing of the peasant organization against the San Roque Multi-purpose Dam which will hold its founding Congress on the 13th of this month. TIMMAWA (Tignayan Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwayawaya ti Agno) or the Peasant Movement to Free the Agno, is made up of the dam-affected peasants along the Agno River. The harassment last March 10 and other earlier cases of harassment are seen by the organizers as part of the attempts to quell the mounting protests of the people against the government flagship project which is intended to serve the foreign mining companies and companies set to enter Northern Luzon in the coming years rather than the people.
Quotations from Various Statements
Of Dams and Mines:
"We all know that we do not need a dam in Cordillera, but it is clear to us that there is a massive promotion of the mining industry here. It is clear that these dams are meant to serve the power supply needs of these mining companies."
- Joan Carling, Philippine Daily InquirerJanuary 8, 2001
On the Approval of 9 Mining Applications:
"Our agency is only concerned with mining applications. We do not care about where these companies source their logistics such as power supply""Cordillera is prone to dam construction because of the beautiful terrain and our river basins."
- Edwardo Austria, Mines and Geological Bureau,
Philippine Daily Inquirer,January 8, 2001
On the Power Purchase Adjustment(The added charge in your electric bill.)
"For several months now, electric cooperatives serving rural electric consumers have been experiencing periodic and continuing electricity rate increases. This is due to the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) formula imposed by the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) using rural electric cooperatives as their unwilling collectors.
The PPA is an amount inserted into our electric bills and does not represent any cost related to the actual production or distribution of electricity. For Metro-Meralco consumers, the PPA is 2.08/kwh or one-third of consumers bills. In the electric cooperative franchise areas, the PPA is now 2.13/kwh and constitutes 67% of the total electricity bill. This forced payment of PPA amounts to at least P200 per month for poorer households to P1000 and above for the rich.
For what and for whom is the PPA? It is a charge to recover P480 billion worth of overpriced contracts of the National Power Corporation (NPC) and Meralco to buy electricity from 35 independent power producers. This, we believe, is unconscionable."
- The Association Of Electric Cooperatives of the Philippines
On the Continuing Struggle�
TIMMAWA Launched To Free The AgnoTimmawa, a slave who had freed himself from the bondage of this master, is an appropriate acronym for the Tignayan Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwaya-waya ti Agno (Peasant Movement to Free the Agno) which was launched by some 700 peasants from Itogon, Benguet and San Nicolas and San Manuel in Pangasinan on March 13, 2001 in the Camanggaan Resettlement Site in San Roque San Manuel. Timmawa is a movement not only to free the flow of Agno River from the devastation of of Ambuclao Dam in Bokod, Binga Dam in Itogon and the infamous megadam in San Manuel but more importantly the whole life systems in the Agno River Basin.
On its launching day, the various peasant communities of Agno River were unified by the Declaration of Principles of TIMMAWA that upholds the peasants right to land and its resources.
TIMMAWA is an alliance that embodies the realization that farmers and their families can act together to free themselves from the bondage of their masters. In this context of out history, from the imperailust masters and their local cohorts among government officials who had been carting away profits from building a dam which eventually become a menace to all the people, mostly but not only farmers along the Agno River.
TIMMAWA Led International Day Of ActionOn March 14, under the intense heat of the sun, about 1000 peasants together with members of other sectors marched through the main thoroughfares of Dagupan City to protest the construction of the San Roque Dam.
The mass action led by members of TIMMAWA- a Peasant Movement to Free the Agno, started with a jeepney protest caravan that took off from San Roque , San Manuel , went all the way to Dagupan City where a march rally was held .
The protest action is one of the more than seventy various actions in 36 countries that dam activists have staged on March 14- the International day of Action Against Dam and For River , Water and Life. In the Philippines, this year's day of action was significantly marked with international solidarity against dams with the active participation of 20 activists from Japan.
"Power Purchase Adjustment: An Unjust Burden!Halt the Implementation of PPA!"- Electric Coops
Electric Cooperatives all over the country appealed to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seriously consider halting the implementation of the Power Purchase Adjustment (PPA). According to the Association of Electric Cooperatives (APEC), the implementation of the PPA is an unjust burden passed on to the consumers.
The APEC, with a membership of more than 5 million rural consumers claims, "for several months now, electric coop serving rural electric consumers have been experiencing periodic and continuing electricity rate increases. This is due to the PPA formula imposed by Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) using rural electric coops as their unwilling collectors."
The APEC explained that the PPA is being charged to recover P 480 billion worth of overpriced contracts of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) and Meralco to buy electricity from 35 independent power producers. "This is unconscionable. Why are the 5M poor rural member-consumers as well as those in the urban areas being made to pay for this?" APEC asked.
The Movement Against San Roque Dam and All Mega dams(MASERDAM) supports the appeal the halt the PPA. In the near future, The San Roque Power Corporation will be one among the big independent power producers(IPPs) that will bleed the electric consumers financially. The power purchase adjustment is one of the scheme being implemented by the NAPOCOR to meets its obligation under the onerous power purchase agreement with IPPs.
"We are confident that the present administration borne into office by people power will heed the appeal of electric consumers that represent the backbone of the rural electrification program ," they added.
Pangasinan Broad Coalitions vs. San Roque Dam: Agkolabay San Roque Dam!Agkolabay is a Pangasinan term for "I don't like". "Agkolabay San Roque Dam"- is both the name and the message of a broad coalition of various sectors in Pangasinan. This coalition started two years ago as AGCOLA- which was against the call of the then Pres. Joseph Estrada for constitutional change. Last year it transformed itself as a coalition for the ouster of Erap, and now, against San Roque Dam (SRD).
Agkolabay is composed of Concerned Youth and Students, various Catholic Parishes, and Princessa - a non-government organization for peasants and fisher folks.
Another broad coalition named Pangasinan Citizen Movement for Good Government (PCMGG) has formalized its position against San Roque Dam. In their organizational assembly held last February 3,2001 the PMCGG declared its position against the dam project. PCMGG membership includes the Federation of Farmers Cooperative, business groups, and the dioceses of Dagupan-Lingayen, Alaminos, and Urdaneta.
The Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) is another big group of religious institutions who earlier took a stand against the SRD. They were the main convenor of the October 2000 Fact Finding Mission (FFM) on the Impact of San Roque Dam.
The membership in these broad coalitions comes from large area of the province -namely Western, Central, and Eastern Pangasinan.
Activists to Tackle WCD Report in a National Dam Workshop
International dam activists and advocates welcome the report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) as it validates the claims of critics on large dams. The report has set forth a new international standard on development framework for decision making based on human rights. The Cordillera Peoples Alliance welcomes the report, especially its recommendations as this will further strengthen the struggle of dam affected communities in the defense of their rights.
The WCD on the study of dams have led to several recommendations one of which underscores the recognition of rights and the risks to all stake holders. But these recommendations will still have to be adopted by agencies like the World Bank (WB), bilateral aid agencies, export credit agencies, and governments. These recommendations of the WCD are not binding to governments and various agencies. The challenge now is for the anti-dam movements to raise these recommendations to national and international bodies for them to adopt the recommendations and strictly comply with the guidelines.
With the international launching of the WCD Report, the anti-dam movement will now take further actions to strengthen the legitimate cause of its struggle . These actions will illustrate what the WCD believes: "Our report is a milestone in the evolution of dam as a development option have demonstrated that the future for water and energy resources development lies with participatory decision-making using a rights and risks approach that will raise the importance of the social and environmental dimensions of dams to a level once reserved for the economic dimension."
The Commission, in its final statement said; " We have told our story. What happens next is up to you." It is this challenge that various representatives of dam affected communities from all over the Philippines and local and international dam advocates will come together on March 23-25. The study of the report will be one of the major workshop topics which will serve as the basis for drawing-up plans for concerted actions in the struggle against dams.
January - March 15 2001
Source:International Rivers Network website http://www.irn.org/programs/sanroque/010516.0301update.html
On the Project and Government Actions
Dam Construction Now Cost 75% of Its Total BudgetThe ongoing construction of the San Roque dam project has cost the SRPC 75% of its total budget. The total cost of the dam project is P1.19B. According to John Lockwood , the Resident manager of the SRPC, the whole dam construction is now over the half-way mark and is expected to be finished by year 2002. The progress of construction for the actual dam is 40% to completion, the power house at 60% and the present work at the spillway is half-concreting.
The SRPC currently employs 4,000 workers, but for the actual operation it would only need 50 employees.
In a related development, Benguet Congressman Ronaldo Cosalan, Presidentail Assistant Diaz, and top officials of the NPC made an ocular visit to San Roque project site. During the visit various related projects such as tourism development, housing subdivision and road construction that directly links San Manuel to Itogon were taken up.
Itogon Resolution on San Roque Dam Deferred; P137.79 M for IWMP ReleasedThe Municipal Council of Itogon, Benguet revoked its endorsement of the San Roque Dam Project last January 3, 2001. The Council, in their review of the commitments, chided the national government for deceiving the Ibalois. According to Vice-Mayor Kato; "We have given them (government) time to prove their worth but they are worthless."
But the transmittal of the resolution of withdrawal to concerned government agencies was deferred. This is to give time for the NPC to comply until March 31 with its commitment to the people of Itogon.
In a related development, Vice-Mayor Kato lauded the new DMB Secretary for the releases of P137.79 M for the initial funding requirement of the Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP).
The Vice-Mayor said; "The people and local officials of Benguet are getting favorable actions. I think the body (municipal council) will have to reconsider its action," (Please see Attachment B for the other details).
2,849-Megawatt Potential of Cordillera RiversA comprehensive study of the potential hydropower sources in the Cordillera region showed that 2,849 megawatt is yet untapped.
The National Power Corporation (NPC), which made the study, revealed that the potential sources maybe developed into large, small, and minihydro dams. The study indicates that the province of Apayao offers the biggest source of hydropower with a total of 911 potential megawatts. Hydropower sources in this province are located in the Municipalities of Calanasan, Pudtol, Luna, and Cabugao. The same study showed that Mt. Province offers the lowest hydropotential with a total of 119 megawatt. These sources are found in the Municipalities of Sabangan, Baulso, Tadian, Sagada, and Besao.
The study was conducted to draw-up plans to augment the power capacity of the Luzon Grid. NPC explained that the study is also part of the preparation for the establishment of a deregulated power industry once the Omnibus Power Bill is approved.
A few years back , NPC started to implement its program for megawatt capacity addition from three hydro power sources in Cordillera-Northern Luzon Area. In its year 2000 Power Development Program, it calendared the implementation of three additional power plants for the period 2001 to 2005. With these new hyrdoplants, the NPC expects to augment the megawatt capacity of the Luzon Grid with a total of 561 megawatts from the Bakun Hydro, Casecnan Hydro, and San Roque Hydro.
Barangay Officials Harass Dam-Affected PeasantsLast March 10, 2001 in the evening, the three barangay officials from Barangay Narra, San Manuel entered Sitio Calmangaan and harassed the dam-affected peasants in the area. The three barangay officials were identified as Barngay Captain Bartolome Salcedo, Kagawad Boy Isidro, and Kagawad Gorospe.
According to a peasant in the area, the three entered the Sitio upon knowledge of the peasant organization's preparation for their organizational launching on March 13. They were after one of the organizers of the activity.
At nine in the evening, the organizers planned to go back to Sitio Camangaan to rest for the night. It was about that time, too, that shots were heard from a nearby house. The residents in the area said that the barangay officials fired their guns to instill fear in the community. "Nagpaputok sila para manakot," claimed one resident who refused to be identified.
After the firing incident, the three went to Narra proper.
After a couple of minutes, the organizers, thinking that everything was all right, wanted to go on with their plan to spend the night at Sitio Camangaan. But a resident who came from Narra proper advised them to stay in the community where they were safer. He reported that the barangay officials who were already drunk at that time were waiting for the organizers at Narra Proper. They were fully armed. Kagawad Boy Isidro even slapped a resident of the barangay who refused to reveal the whereabouts of the organizers.
It took Pastor Antonino Marzan of the United Methodist Church (UMC) and Kagawad Lodivico Collado and the police to ensure the safe passage of the organizers of the peasant organization to Sitio Camangaan and ensure their safety for the night.
The incident was the worst harassment documented so far with regards to the organizing of the peasant organization against the San Roque Multi-purpose Dam which will hold its founding Congress on the 13th of this month. TIMMAWA (Tignayan Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwayawaya ti Agno) or the Peasant Movement to Free the Agno, is made up of the dam-affected peasants along the Agno River. The harassment last March 10 and other earlier cases of harassment are seen by the organizers as part of the attempts to quell the mounting protests of the people against the government flagship project which is intended to serve the foreign mining companies and companies set to enter Northern Luzon in the coming years rather than the people.
Quotations from Various Statements
Of Dams and Mines:
"We all know that we do not need a dam in Cordillera, but it is clear to us that there is a massive promotion of the mining industry here. It is clear that these dams are meant to serve the power supply needs of these mining companies."
- Joan Carling, Philippine Daily InquirerJanuary 8, 2001
On the Approval of 9 Mining Applications:
"Our agency is only concerned with mining applications. We do not care about where these companies source their logistics such as power supply""Cordillera is prone to dam construction because of the beautiful terrain and our river basins."
- Edwardo Austria, Mines and Geological Bureau,
Philippine Daily Inquirer,January 8, 2001
On the Power Purchase Adjustment(The added charge in your electric bill.)
"For several months now, electric cooperatives serving rural electric consumers have been experiencing periodic and continuing electricity rate increases. This is due to the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) formula imposed by the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) using rural electric cooperatives as their unwilling collectors.
The PPA is an amount inserted into our electric bills and does not represent any cost related to the actual production or distribution of electricity. For Metro-Meralco consumers, the PPA is 2.08/kwh or one-third of consumers bills. In the electric cooperative franchise areas, the PPA is now 2.13/kwh and constitutes 67% of the total electricity bill. This forced payment of PPA amounts to at least P200 per month for poorer households to P1000 and above for the rich.
For what and for whom is the PPA? It is a charge to recover P480 billion worth of overpriced contracts of the National Power Corporation (NPC) and Meralco to buy electricity from 35 independent power producers. This, we believe, is unconscionable."
- The Association Of Electric Cooperatives of the Philippines
On the Continuing Struggle�
TIMMAWA Launched To Free The AgnoTimmawa, a slave who had freed himself from the bondage of this master, is an appropriate acronym for the Tignayan Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwaya-waya ti Agno (Peasant Movement to Free the Agno) which was launched by some 700 peasants from Itogon, Benguet and San Nicolas and San Manuel in Pangasinan on March 13, 2001 in the Camanggaan Resettlement Site in San Roque San Manuel. Timmawa is a movement not only to free the flow of Agno River from the devastation of of Ambuclao Dam in Bokod, Binga Dam in Itogon and the infamous megadam in San Manuel but more importantly the whole life systems in the Agno River Basin.
On its launching day, the various peasant communities of Agno River were unified by the Declaration of Principles of TIMMAWA that upholds the peasants right to land and its resources.
TIMMAWA is an alliance that embodies the realization that farmers and their families can act together to free themselves from the bondage of their masters. In this context of out history, from the imperailust masters and their local cohorts among government officials who had been carting away profits from building a dam which eventually become a menace to all the people, mostly but not only farmers along the Agno River.
TIMMAWA Led International Day Of ActionOn March 14, under the intense heat of the sun, about 1000 peasants together with members of other sectors marched through the main thoroughfares of Dagupan City to protest the construction of the San Roque Dam.
The mass action led by members of TIMMAWA- a Peasant Movement to Free the Agno, started with a jeepney protest caravan that took off from San Roque , San Manuel , went all the way to Dagupan City where a march rally was held .
The protest action is one of the more than seventy various actions in 36 countries that dam activists have staged on March 14- the International day of Action Against Dam and For River , Water and Life. In the Philippines, this year's day of action was significantly marked with international solidarity against dams with the active participation of 20 activists from Japan.
"Power Purchase Adjustment: An Unjust Burden!Halt the Implementation of PPA!"- Electric Coops
Electric Cooperatives all over the country appealed to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seriously consider halting the implementation of the Power Purchase Adjustment (PPA). According to the Association of Electric Cooperatives (APEC), the implementation of the PPA is an unjust burden passed on to the consumers.
The APEC, with a membership of more than 5 million rural consumers claims, "for several months now, electric coop serving rural electric consumers have been experiencing periodic and continuing electricity rate increases. This is due to the PPA formula imposed by Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) using rural electric coops as their unwilling collectors."
The APEC explained that the PPA is being charged to recover P 480 billion worth of overpriced contracts of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) and Meralco to buy electricity from 35 independent power producers. "This is unconscionable. Why are the 5M poor rural member-consumers as well as those in the urban areas being made to pay for this?" APEC asked.
The Movement Against San Roque Dam and All Mega dams(MASERDAM) supports the appeal the halt the PPA. In the near future, The San Roque Power Corporation will be one among the big independent power producers(IPPs) that will bleed the electric consumers financially. The power purchase adjustment is one of the scheme being implemented by the NAPOCOR to meets its obligation under the onerous power purchase agreement with IPPs.
"We are confident that the present administration borne into office by people power will heed the appeal of electric consumers that represent the backbone of the rural electrification program ," they added.
Pangasinan Broad Coalitions vs. San Roque Dam: Agkolabay San Roque Dam!Agkolabay is a Pangasinan term for "I don't like". "Agkolabay San Roque Dam"- is both the name and the message of a broad coalition of various sectors in Pangasinan. This coalition started two years ago as AGCOLA- which was against the call of the then Pres. Joseph Estrada for constitutional change. Last year it transformed itself as a coalition for the ouster of Erap, and now, against San Roque Dam (SRD).
Agkolabay is composed of Concerned Youth and Students, various Catholic Parishes, and Princessa - a non-government organization for peasants and fisher folks.
Another broad coalition named Pangasinan Citizen Movement for Good Government (PCMGG) has formalized its position against San Roque Dam. In their organizational assembly held last February 3,2001 the PMCGG declared its position against the dam project. PCMGG membership includes the Federation of Farmers Cooperative, business groups, and the dioceses of Dagupan-Lingayen, Alaminos, and Urdaneta.
The Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) is another big group of religious institutions who earlier took a stand against the SRD. They were the main convenor of the October 2000 Fact Finding Mission (FFM) on the Impact of San Roque Dam.
The membership in these broad coalitions comes from large area of the province -namely Western, Central, and Eastern Pangasinan.
Activists to Tackle WCD Report in a National Dam Workshop
International dam activists and advocates welcome the report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) as it validates the claims of critics on large dams. The report has set forth a new international standard on development framework for decision making based on human rights. The Cordillera Peoples Alliance welcomes the report, especially its recommendations as this will further strengthen the struggle of dam affected communities in the defense of their rights.
The WCD on the study of dams have led to several recommendations one of which underscores the recognition of rights and the risks to all stake holders. But these recommendations will still have to be adopted by agencies like the World Bank (WB), bilateral aid agencies, export credit agencies, and governments. These recommendations of the WCD are not binding to governments and various agencies. The challenge now is for the anti-dam movements to raise these recommendations to national and international bodies for them to adopt the recommendations and strictly comply with the guidelines.
With the international launching of the WCD Report, the anti-dam movement will now take further actions to strengthen the legitimate cause of its struggle . These actions will illustrate what the WCD believes: "Our report is a milestone in the evolution of dam as a development option have demonstrated that the future for water and energy resources development lies with participatory decision-making using a rights and risks approach that will raise the importance of the social and environmental dimensions of dams to a level once reserved for the economic dimension."
The Commission, in its final statement said; " We have told our story. What happens next is up to you." It is this challenge that various representatives of dam affected communities from all over the Philippines and local and international dam advocates will come together on March 23-25. The study of the report will be one of the major workshop topics which will serve as the basis for drawing-up plans for concerted actions in the struggle against dams.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Gov’t to adopt int’l codes on mining deals
http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20060707bus7.html
By Carlo Leo C. Manuel
The Daily Tribune 07/07/2006
The government, with the assistance of the private sector, is formulating a Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC), similar to Australia’s Joint Ore Reserve Committee (JORC) Code, an internationally accepted mining industry standard that sets out the guidelines for public reporting of exploration results, among others.
According to Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president Francis Lim, the proponents of the proposed PMRC want to use the JORC Code as their model in drawing up the Philippine version of the mining code.
He noted that Australian mining experts will hold a comprehensive orientation seminar on July 20 to 21 about the JORC Code. The seminar forms part of the joint government-private sector plan to formulate the PMRC.
“The seminar, thus, represents an important preparation towards our shift to a reporting standard, patterned after the JORC Code,” Lim said. “The proposed PMRC, thus, will elevate our mining rules to world standards.”
Aside from the PSE, those supporting the seminar are the Philippine Mineral Development Institute Foundation, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Chamber of Mines, Philippine Australian Business Council and the Board of Investments (BoI).
The Australian Agency for International Development, through its Partnership on Economic Governance Reforms facility, is supporting the shift to JORC with a technical assistance.
Once PMRC is formally adopted, the government, through the BoI, will conduct a road show to announce the adoption of the new code.
Last year, the PSE liberalized its listing requirements to accommodate more mining firms into the bourse.
The PSE Board has decided to adopt a liberal interpretation of the track record and operating history requirements of its listing rules to accommodate mining firms that are worth listing, provided that they comply with certain requirements.
Among the documentary requirements, which shall be deemed compliance with the requirements on operating history and track record, include: certification from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) attesting that its mineral claims or rights as of the date of application are still valid; that they are being developed in accordance with the approved work program; and that the applicant has been complying with the reporting requirements of the MGB; certified true copies of exploration permits and mineral agreements; an MGB-approved exploration/construction/utilization work program prepared and signed by a licensed mining engineer, geologist or metallurgical engineer; proof of quality of management and of technical competence, showing bio-data of key management and technical personnel; and proof of adequate working capital to carry on the approved work program and appropriateness of capital structure.
The JORC Code is utilized and accepted in Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, and neighboring islands in the South Pacific). It has been used both as an internal reporting standard by a number of major international mining companies and as a template for countries in the process of developing or revising their own reporting documents, including the United States of America, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom/Europe.
The purpose of the JORC Code is to provide a minimum standard for reporting of exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves in Australasia and to ensure that public reports on these matters contain all the information which investors and their advisers would reasonably require for the purpose of making a balanced judgment regarding the results and estimates being reported.
The Philippine mining industry received a big break in December 2004 when the Supreme Court reversed its January 2004 decision and declared the Mining Act of 1995 constitutional, effectively opening up to the local mining industry to foreign investment.
With this decision, foreign corporations can now own more than 40 percent of local entities that will be set up for the purpose of engaging in mining ventures, provided that they will state in their business purpose that they will get the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement from the government.
By Carlo Leo C. Manuel
The Daily Tribune 07/07/2006
The government, with the assistance of the private sector, is formulating a Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC), similar to Australia’s Joint Ore Reserve Committee (JORC) Code, an internationally accepted mining industry standard that sets out the guidelines for public reporting of exploration results, among others.
According to Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president Francis Lim, the proponents of the proposed PMRC want to use the JORC Code as their model in drawing up the Philippine version of the mining code.
He noted that Australian mining experts will hold a comprehensive orientation seminar on July 20 to 21 about the JORC Code. The seminar forms part of the joint government-private sector plan to formulate the PMRC.
“The seminar, thus, represents an important preparation towards our shift to a reporting standard, patterned after the JORC Code,” Lim said. “The proposed PMRC, thus, will elevate our mining rules to world standards.”
Aside from the PSE, those supporting the seminar are the Philippine Mineral Development Institute Foundation, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Chamber of Mines, Philippine Australian Business Council and the Board of Investments (BoI).
The Australian Agency for International Development, through its Partnership on Economic Governance Reforms facility, is supporting the shift to JORC with a technical assistance.
Once PMRC is formally adopted, the government, through the BoI, will conduct a road show to announce the adoption of the new code.
Last year, the PSE liberalized its listing requirements to accommodate more mining firms into the bourse.
The PSE Board has decided to adopt a liberal interpretation of the track record and operating history requirements of its listing rules to accommodate mining firms that are worth listing, provided that they comply with certain requirements.
Among the documentary requirements, which shall be deemed compliance with the requirements on operating history and track record, include: certification from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) attesting that its mineral claims or rights as of the date of application are still valid; that they are being developed in accordance with the approved work program; and that the applicant has been complying with the reporting requirements of the MGB; certified true copies of exploration permits and mineral agreements; an MGB-approved exploration/construction/utilization work program prepared and signed by a licensed mining engineer, geologist or metallurgical engineer; proof of quality of management and of technical competence, showing bio-data of key management and technical personnel; and proof of adequate working capital to carry on the approved work program and appropriateness of capital structure.
The JORC Code is utilized and accepted in Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, and neighboring islands in the South Pacific). It has been used both as an internal reporting standard by a number of major international mining companies and as a template for countries in the process of developing or revising their own reporting documents, including the United States of America, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom/Europe.
The purpose of the JORC Code is to provide a minimum standard for reporting of exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves in Australasia and to ensure that public reports on these matters contain all the information which investors and their advisers would reasonably require for the purpose of making a balanced judgment regarding the results and estimates being reported.
The Philippine mining industry received a big break in December 2004 when the Supreme Court reversed its January 2004 decision and declared the Mining Act of 1995 constitutional, effectively opening up to the local mining industry to foreign investment.
With this decision, foreign corporations can now own more than 40 percent of local entities that will be set up for the purpose of engaging in mining ventures, provided that they will state in their business purpose that they will get the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement from the government.
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