Anti-mining group holds prayer rally at City Hall

text & photos HADER GLANG

City Councilor Mannix Dalipe (left inset below) stressing his opposition to the mining in Vitali. Monsignor Crisanto de la Cruz (right inset top) is a leading voice against the proposed mining.

Some 600 protesters including students from Catholic schools and residents from Vitali on Thursday held a prayer rally appealing to local government officials to withdraw their resolution endorsing a multi-million large-scale mining operation in Vitali.

Saint Joseph Parish Priest Monsignor Crisanto de la Cruz and representatives from the Archdiocese of Zamboanga spearheaded the rally, held infront of the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council) along R.T. Lim Boulevard.

Carrying anti-mining streamers and placards, the protesters urged Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat and administration councilors to reconsider and recall their resolution.

“No to Mining in Vitali Mayor & City Councilors Please Hear Our Prayers and Petitions” “Lives Are More Important” “We Care For Our Environment” “ICAS Calarian Calls For Care of Mother Earth!” read some of the banners carried by students.

De la Cruz said they are protesting the mining due to its ill effects to the environment and the community. “The experts pinpointed Vitali to be a fault area. It is susceptible not only to movements but even to flood and landslides. So shall we wait for a disaster to happen?”

When asked his comment for people who believe the economic benefits resulting from the mining, he said, “That’s their right. But as far as we know considering our research and findings, we believe that it (mining) will not be good.”

Gamar Jubail, vice chairman of the Zamboanga Fisheries and Agriculture, said mining would pollute the river and cause massive damage to fishponds, where most residents depend their source of income.

According to Jubail, their river is the water source for drinking of poor residents in Vitali, thus any mining operations within the area would adversely affect their water supply and endanger the people’s health.

Meanwhile, the protesters failed to get the nod of the majority members of City Council to recall the resolution 202, which endorses the Linktone International Mining Corporation’s application, as they rejected Archbishop Carmelo Morelos’ appeal.

But Monsignor de la Cruz took their petition to Malacañang, asking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to explore the immediate declaration of Vitali watershed as a part of the reservation area.

“I am very confident that even if our city councilors have not listened to us there will be other avenues. As I promise we will respect whatever the decision there would be but we will explore other possibilities,” he said.

The move to reconsider and recall Resolution 202 was jointly presented by Councilors Cesar Jimenez, Manuel Dalipe Jr. and John Dalipe after delivering their individual privilege speeches relative to the manner and the circumstances behind the passage and eventual adoption of the measure last week.

Councilor Elias Enriquez chairman of the Council committee on environment and natural resources, in an interview after the session said the Council decision was a matter of principle. He reiterated anew that the resolution was not an endorsement of the proposed mining project but merely to pave way for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct a study and determine the impact of the proposal on the environment and the people.

Enriquez defended the passage and eventual approval of the resolution, which he authored last March 9, against accusation that I was done hastily and secretly. He stressed that the resolution was a result of consultation and hearings done with the different stakeholders.
In their individual privilege speeches, Jimenez and Mannix questioned the circumstances that led to the approval of Resolution 202 last week. They claimed that they were not furnished copies of the report, which they also claimed, was undated.

Jimenez said he was surprised to discover about the approval of the resolution only last March 10, a day after it was approved purportedly by a unanimous vote of the City Council.

In his speech, he also challenged his colleagues to be consistent with their stand in protecting and conserving the watershed, citing the approval of various resolutions to this effect.

Jimenez said the proposed mining operations in Vitali, which would cover over 10,000n hectares, will encroached on the proposed watershed area inn the barangay.

Mannix expounded on the possible ill effects of the proposed mining operations on the livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolks in Vitali. He believed that he endorsement of the ECC is tantamount to endorsing the mining project.

John, who signed the report of the committee that contained Resolution 202 said the presentation of new documents from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology made him join the move to recall the measure.

Other members also defended their stand and assured that they would not allow the undertaking of a project if it would be detrimental to the environment and the people.
The motion to reconsider and recall Resolution 202 was killed by a vote of 10 against, 3 in favor and one abstention.

Against were Councilors Enriquez, Edding, Juan Climaco Elago II, Milabel Velasquez, Cesar Iturralde, Rudy Lim, Benjamin Guingona III, Rey Candido, Abdurahman Nuño and Roel Natividad. In favor of the motion were Councilors Jimenez and Mannix and John Dalipe while Councilor Luis Climaco, who was not present during the March 9 session when the controversial resolution was approved, opted to abstain from voting. (ZS)