Youth’s Stand Against Destructive Mining

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942) was enacted particularly to encourage large-scale Mining by local and foreign corporations, However, the law went beyond encouraging the revitalization of the mining industry in the Philippines; it has disregarded the integrity of our National Patrimony for the sake of attracting foreign investment. The law allows the widespread plunder and exploitation of our natural resources. It allows foreign mining operations by foreign mining corporations, it allows 100% of their profits, and it grants tax holidays and exemptions to mining firms.


Mining is Inherently Unsustainable

We do not believe in the myth of “sustainable mining.” Mining is inherently unsustainable since it requires the depletion of non-renewable natural resources. Instead of requiring ever-growing amounts of mineral and fuels, a sustainable economy will use materials much more efficiently, reducing waste to a bare minimum, and rely more on recycling, reuse and renewable energy technology. Sustainability means less mining, not more.

Mining should not be considered as the only industry that will propel our country towards development. Unrestricted mining activities will destroy other industries, like agriculture and fishing.

“Aanhin pa ang kayamanan kung sira na ang kalikasan.”

The serious environmental destruction caused by large-scale mining outweighs any economic benefit that may be derived from it. Mining is among the greatest threats to biological diversity worldwide. Mining creates extraordinary amounts of waste; much of it contaminated. And often creates environmental problems, such as water pollution, that can endure for centuries. Mining often yield little, if any, long-term net benefits for host communities and countries, as is becoming increasingly evident, the long-term cleanup costs of many mines may well exceed what the host countries gain while the mines are open.


Mining encroaches on Indigenous Peoples’ Lands

Mining has disproportionately great impacts on indigenous peoples and poor, rural communities, whose lands are often forcibly seized for mining with little or no competition, and enjoy few of the benefits of mineral extraction. Indigenous people and their communities have a historical relationship with their lands and are generally descendants of the original inhabitants of such lands. They have developed over many generations a holistic traditional scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. Any development initiative should be implemented recognizing their values, traditional knowledge and resource management practices with a view to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development, and recognizing their traditional and direct dependence on renewable resources and ecosystems.


To Our Fellow Youth

It is important that we, the youth, actively participate in all relevant levels of decision-making processes of our nation, particularly with regard to the environment, because it affects our lives today and has implication for our futures.

It is our solemn duty to preserve and safeguard our environment and natural resources if we want to ensure that our generations to come shall enjoy the blessings of a healthy, balance, and diverse ecology. Nature needs our help; it does not stand a chance against man’s rapacity and insatiable greed.


To Our Elders

To our elders: “Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it is lent to you by your children.” In turn, we pledge to ensure that our future children and generations to come will enjoy the blessings of a healthy environment.


To the Government

We demand that the Government stop its liberal policy on mining. We challenge the Government to instead revitalize the agriculture and fishing industries, two industries that are full of potentials but greatly neglected.

We call on Congress to immediately repeal the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the law responsible for all these destructions. We will not allow the further destruction of our environment.


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A statement of the proponents of Kontra Mina

Kontra Mina is an advocacy of Batas Tomasino: the UST law society in cooperation with Thomasian Writer’s Guild, College of Commerce Economics Society, Earth-UST and Alyansa Tigil Mina.

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