Groups laud CHR Chairperson De Lima visit to mining affected community

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (NV)–

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an advocacy group and a people’s movement composed of more than eighty (80) organizations from mining-affected communities and civil society organizations nationwide, lauds Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Leila M. de Lima's earnest actions to further investigate the reported incidents of illegal demolition and dispersal operations in a mining affected community, which hosts an Australian mining company owned by OceanaGold Corp. Inc. (OGPI).

Chairperson de Lima in her statement last October 16 decided to personally visit Bgy. Didipio to determine for herself the illegality of the demolition operations and alleged harassment of residents, which occurred last October 2 reported to her by ATM. As early as 2007, the CHR has been receiving reports of human rights violations in the area, allegedly related to the operation of the Didipio Copper-Gold Mining Project.

Barangay Didipio is one (1) of the 23 barangays in Kasibu, NV covered by OGPI under the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) No.001, which covers 21,465 hectares located in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces.

The Commission conducted an on-site visit to Bgy. Didipio last November 5 and was accompanied by Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban, Didipio Bgy. Captain Marilou Nablul together with the assistance from nongoverment organizations from Didipio Earth Savers’ Multi-Purpose Association (DESAMA), ATM, Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights), Legal Rights and Natural Resouces Center (LRC), and Task Force Detainee of the Philippines (TFDP).

During the site visit, the Commission has personally witnessed the massive installation of fences and checkpoints by OGPI in Didipio and heard complaints reported by many residents in the barangay. In a previous statement of De Lima last October 16 “The rights of the indigenous inhabitants and residents of Bgy. Didipio to have an abode, to free ingress and egress from their homes cannot be impaired on the whim and caprices of the government, let alone a private enterprise such as OceanaGold”.

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ATM takes heart in the consistent performance of Chairperson de Lima in addressing the concerns of the indigenous peoples in Nueva Vizcaya.  The quick and timely response of the CHR with the complaint filed by ATM in behalf of the communities, attest to the strong resolve of Chair de Lima in leaving up to the high expectations of ordinary people that the CHR will uphold and defend their human rights. The personal visit of de Lima to the actual site of the complaint should send a clear signal not only to CHR, but to other government agencies as well, that people are entitled to the genuine service of the government," said ATM national coordinator Jaybee Garganera.

Approximately 200 people of Didipio congregated and extended their warm reception to the CHR delegation at Dinauyan valley – the proposed area for the mine tailings dam site, which covers approximately 63.8 hectares covering the entire valley. Some displayed banners welcoming Chairpeson de Lima and her party while some villagers performed their Ifugao dance. Didipio villagers also took the opportunity to express their strong opposition to OGPI with the display banners and placards. 

The next day, the CHR, in partnership with the Provincial Government of NV, organized a public dialogue in Bayombong, where parties from the local government units of NV, OGPI, PNP, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Mines and GeoSciences Bureau  (MGB), Social Action Center of the Diocese of NV and some residents of Didipio where given the chance to speak with regards to the on-going investigation.  Didipio Bgy. Captain Marilou Nablul, Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban expressed their strong opposition to OGPI stating OGPI’s lack of respect for the LGU officials in carrying out operations in Didipio at the dialogue.

In 2005, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) signed SP Resolution No. 2005-252, favorably endorsing the Didipio Gold-Copper Mining Project with conditions. However, many of these conditions where not met by OGPI according to Atty. Leslie Costales, Provincial Legal Officer, who spoke in behalf of the Governor Luisa Lloren Cuaresma at the November 6 dialgoue. “To enumerate: The company must give assurance of environmental protection and present preservation; promptly payment to the Province of NV fees, taxes and government charges like real property tax, excise tax, business tax and the like and municipal impositions to the Municipality of Kasibu NV; Undertakings of rehabilitation and development of access roads within the province of NV; Priority hiring of employees of the company must be first from Didipio and next from the Municaplity of Kasibu and then any resident from the Province of NV; and Provisions of the IPRA and all laws and regulations promulgated by duly constituted authority must be complied with,” exclaimed Atty. Costales.

For more information:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM Coordinator, (0915) 315.37.19 / Roslyn Arayata, ATM Policy Officer (0917) 521.7937