Antimining group sees hope rising

ALYANSA TIGIL Mina, a national coalition of mining-affected communities and their support groups, congratulates and extends its support to Gina Lopez as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Her recent appointment by President Duterte is a clear signal that change is indeed coming in the mining sector.

The alliance first worked with Lopez in 2011, after the death of Palawan broadcaster and antimining advocate Gerry Ortega sparked the formation of the Save Palawan Movement and its No to Mining in Palawan campaign. Lopez spearheaded these initiatives as managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation. She has since become our ally in other campaigns not just on mining but also climate change and other social and environmental issues.

We have witnessed Lopez’s dedication in conserving our natural resources and her passion in championing sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor. We have seen the positive impacts of Lopez’s intervention not only in Palawan but also in other mining-affected communities in Zambales, Batangas, Romblon, Samar, South Cotabato and Surigao del Sur.

As a national coalition and also as a member of the broad Green Thumb Coalition of green groups, Alyansa Tigil Mina will remain vigilant, particularly in the first 100 days of the new administration, in ensuring that the new top officials of the country will follow through on their promising stances and statements on mining.

We look forward to continuing our meaningful partnership with Lopez to protect communities, the environment, and natural resources from illegal and destructive practices or irresponsible companies. We are hopeful that with her at the helm of the DENR, and with Mr. Duterte himself as chief executive, the new administration would hear and act on our demands, particularly the repeal of Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the passage into law of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill, and an assessment of the implementation of Executive Order No. 79 in pursuit of mining reforms.

In our partnership engagement with Lopez, Alyansa Tigil Mina remains committed to change, and to meaningful freedoms.

—JAYBEE GARGANERA, national coordinator, KARL ISAAC SANTOS, media and communications officer, Alyansa Tigil Mina, policy@alyansatigilmina.net