PHILIPPINES Marbel, the diocese celebrates the “victory” that stopped a mining project

The Tampakan government revoked the permits for Sagittarius Mines, Inc. In the “activities” statement, “fraud and false statements” were discovered. The center of the controversy is a gold and copper deposit of almost six billion euros. Today, hundreds of activists and volunteers clean up Manila Bay.

Manila () – The diocese of Marbel, in the southern Philippines, yesterday celebrated the decision of the government of Tampakan (South Cotabato) to revoke the exploitation permits of a mining company that operates in the area. Father Jerome Millanm, director of the Diocesan Center for Social Activities, told CbcpNews that this is “another victory” in the battle against Sagittarius Mines, Inc., whose activities concern local Catholics and environmentalists. “We applaud the Government -he added- for this measure that we consider extremely positive”.

Tampakan Mayor Leonard Escobillo made the decision to revoke the permits because the company is guilty of “fraud and false statements.” In the declaration corresponding to the “activities” that he carries out, lies and falsehoods were discovered to hide the true nature and purpose of the works. In the registry he appears as a contractor in the engineering sector, but in the disputed area he intended to carry out mineral exploration and extraction activities.

The center of the controversy is the Tampakan gold and copper quarry, a reality valued at almost six billion euros that covers an area of ​​some 10,000 hectares distributed in the territory of four Mindanao provinces, including South Cotabato itself. Inside it would be found one of the largest -unexplored- deposits of gold and copper, not only in Southeast Asia but in the entire world. According to estimates, when fully operational it could guarantee an average production of 375,000 tons of copper and up to 360,000 ounces of gold. But at the cost of serious repercussions on the environment and the health of citizens.

Environmentalist Yoly Esguerra, from the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI), congratulates the authorities for the decision, which she considers a step forward to guarantee a better future for citizens and a healthy ecology. “Discovering the deception of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) and decisively confronting it by revoking its business permit -he adds- shows that Mayor Leonard Escobilla supports transparency in his form of government”.

Meanwhile, always on the environmental front, hundreds of people gathered today on the beaches of Manila Bay, in the capital, to celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup Day. Volunteers and government employees, along with coast guard personnel, collected plastic bags, rubber shoes and other non-biodegradable waste left in the bay, a 60km semi-enclosed estuary off the South China Sea.

The waters of Manila Bay, famous for its sunsets, are heavily polluted with oil, grease, and garbage from nearby residential areas and ports. “This initiative will help improve our coastal area – 18-year-old student Kendrick López explained to Reuters – so that tourists and visitors can appreciate the beauty of the bay.”