Whereas, over ten thousand of local residents already signed a petition saying NO TO MINING IN KIAMBA/SARANGANI and IMPLEMENT LOG MORATORIUM PER EO 23; Whereas, it was reported that Sarangani has only 20% remaining forest cover and 87% of these forests are in Kiamba. MT BUSA IS LAST FRONTIER OF SARANGANI and these forests need to be protected as forest watershed reserve for the present and future generations; Whereas, the people need these forests to sustain livelihoods, safeguard lives and property but are now under threat due to approved MPSA/Exploration permits issued by MGB covering a total land area of 14,500 hectares Whereas, lives of the people are in danger due to the recent floods and mudflow , carrying houses and crops away, destroying public and private infrastructure and severely affecting livelihood of the people; Whereas, the resulting siltation of our rivers continue to pose a grave risk to the lives , safety and property of our people and has severely affected the means of livelihood of our fishermen and farmers; Whereas, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) declared the area of Kiamba as prone to landslides and flashfloods yet approved mining applications in the area; Whereas, the forests of Kiamba is part of the Allah Valley Forest Reserve and a protected area per Proclamation No. 2455, and therefore closed to mining applications; Whereas, Mt.Busa encompassing Lake Sebu, Surallah, TBoli, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum is a key biodiversity area (KBA 116) and an important bird area (IBA PH0105), harbors critically endagered, endangered , vulnerable and rare bird species and connects several conservation priority areas (i.e. CPA 147, CPA 148, CPA 149 and CPA 150). Mt. Busa is also known to be key biodiversity area and should be preserved at all costs; Whereas, the seascape of Sarangani which forms part of the world’s key marine diversity triangle, is also home to rare and endangered marine life and declared a protected area by virtuePresidential Proclamation No. 756. The unabated cutting of trees despite issuance of a logging moratorium and the absence of commercial tree plantations in the area, has resulted to heavy siltation of our waters; Whereas, considering the undeniable scientific evidence that mining activities pollute the land, water, and air, endangering health and lives of people, killing wild life, destroying streams, rivers and marine sanctuaries, while leaving behind a cycle of boon, bust and poverty; We the people, petition the Philippine Government to cancel all MPSAs /Exploration permits issued affecting Kiamba, Maitum and South Cotabato so our remaining forests and watershed are protected; We the people also invoke our constitutional rights to our lives, safety and property as well as our rights to a healthy and balanced ecology, implore the legislative and executive arms of government to pass and implement measures to BAN MINING IN SARANGANI, fully implement the LOG BAN per EO 23 and for the President of the Republic of the Philippines to DECLARE MT. BUSA A PROTECTED LANDMARK.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:52:08 +0000
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