By Jhelyn G. Andal

 

Brooke’s Point aims to be the only municipality in Southern Palawan that is mining-free.

 

In an anti-mining rally held at the town plaza July 17, Thursday, around 5,000 to 6,000 locals have dramatized their opposition to three mining projects which are in the initial stages of operations in the area.

 

The MacroAsia Mining Corp., Ipilan Nickel Corp., and Le Bach Mining were criticized for conducting exploration activities in the municipality. The mining firms were even labeled as “funeral services” while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR was also named as “Destroyer of Environment and Natural Resources.”

 

“Wala akong magagawa dahil iyon ang totoo,” Vice-Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano said.

 

The vice-mayor said that DENR violated the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the municipality because of allowing mining operations in core zone areas in Brooke’s Point.

 

Farmers, indigenous people, students, religious sectors and other institutions joined the event. However, only Feliciano was present among the local officials.

 

“Marami pong nagsasabi sa akin na sila rin ay anti-mining,” she said. “But if you can remember, I was the only one who won from our group. All elected officials from 2004-2007 are still the members of the Sangguniang Bayan,” Feliciano added.

 

During her speech, Feliciano said that the municipality’s only dream is for its mountains to remain untouched by mining companies.

 

“Ito ang nag-iisang pangarap ng Brooke’s Point,iyong manatili ang kabundukan ng Brooke’s Point na walang bawas, walang butas. Sabi nga ng nakakausap kong taga-Brooke’s Point, sana naman e may matira pang isang bayan o munisipyo sa Southern Palawan na may kabundukan na makikita ng ating mga anak at mga apo na ipinaglaban ng kanilang mga magulang,” the vice-mayor expressed.

 

Feliciano, who bragged that Brooke’s Point is more progressive in terms of literacy, economy, and health compared to other municipalities, said that the rally also served as a warning to mining companies.

 

“They would just waste money. They’d better invest on places where people accept mining. Hindi namin kailangan ng bakal, kailangan namin ng bigas,” Feliciano told the local media.

 

Two barangay chairmen, on the other hand, said that two mining companies offered them money for their endorsement. Brgy. Mainit Chairman Aguilar related that Le Bach Mining tried to bribe him while Brgy. Ipilan Chairman Jonathan Lagrada said that Ipilan Nickel Corp. offered him money several times.

 

Lagrada was also given a gravestone with his name inscribed in it. But he cleared that he remains anti-mining and will continue to protect the farmers, agriculture, and youth.

 

According to Feliciano, farmers and indigenous people are still planning to conduct other protests. Some of them are considering a march from Brooke’s Point to Puerto Princesa.