Sibuyan Island, Romblon

MANILA, Jan. 22, 2011—Local church leaders are calling for mining ban in the province of Romblon claiming that the industry destroys people’s lives and their relationship with one another, the environment and God.

Msgr. Ernie Nonato V. Fetalino, HP, chairman of Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) said that human beings are called to be stewards of the earth, and as such, should not abuse it.

MANILA, Philippines –Sibuyan Island communities in Romblon province express disappointment on Tuesday regarding the large-scale mining license given by the Philippine government to a Canada-based mining firm.

......Domingo Marin, father of slain anti-mining councilor Armin Rios-Marin and President of of Sibuyan-based advocacy group Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) supported by Sibuyan ISLE, says that “Sibuyan folks are disgusted and annoyed with this kind of development, we were not even informed about the approval and no news whatsoever. We just knew about it when a statement of Pelican was published on the internet.”