Envi Groups' Assessment of PBBM: Absolute Fail!

Alyansa Tigil Mina
Jul 25
3 min read

On this fourth State of the Nation Address of President Bongbong Marcos Jr., we, from various environmental and human rights organizations, and civil society groups, unanimously declare the performance of this administration concerning mining, human rights and environment issues as an ABSOLUTE FAILURE.

Half-way through his presidency, PBBM has exhibited an utter disregard for the plight and human rights of mining-affected communities. Similarly, he remains indifferent to the consequent harms to the environment wrought by his blatant bias for corporate mining.

From the first day he took office, the President has aggressively pushed for the revitalization of the mining industry supposedly to boost economic recovery. Not much later, he capitalized on the purported need for minerals in the transition to renewable energy, echoing the self-serving narrative of mining corporations.

But we are not misled by government and corporate information spins. The mining industry contributes measly to the economy, and will continue to do so in the wake of the Mining Fiscal Regime Law. Also, rampant and expanded mining for transition minerals only serves to boost the overconsumption of rich countries, instead of meeting the mineral requirements for our country’s shift to renewables.

Further, government’s mining policies and incompetent regulation have worsened all forms of pollution, and resulted in the loss of biodiversity and uncontrollable flooding in mining areas. Killings and harassments against environmental and human rights defenders persist in the face of environmental degradation.

Seabed quarrying operations and offshore mining are also gaining ground in several communities to the detriment of fisherfolk and marine ecosystems. Local governments and mining companies get away with illegal seabed quarrying as they justify operations with river dredging permits.

To make matters worse, deeply entrenched political dynasties have exploited their power and influence to prop up their mining interests. No less than the President’s first cousin and Speaker of the House, Martin Romualdez, promoted the mining fiscal bill that favors mining companies and reduces government’s potential revenues. The Romualdez clan have also expanded their mining investments, along with traditional politicians such as the Villars, Gatchalians and many other political dynasties.

Indisputably, the PBBM administration caters to the vested interests of wealthy and powerful politicians, and profit-hungry mining corporations, while communities suffer from loss of livelihoods, massive displacement, contaminated water sources, razed forests and damaged environments.

This unacceptable situation must completely stop.

We call on concerned sectors and the general public to amplify the voices of communities and support the resistance against destructive mining. We urge the Filipino people to collectively demand accountability from PBBM and all government officials mandated to ensure our right to a safe and healthy ecology, and the human rights of affected communities.

Dinastiya at Pagmimina: Tutulan, Wakasan!

Kalikasan at Karapatan: Ipaglaban!

Signed:

Aksyon Verde

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)

Ang Aroroy Ay Alagaan, Inc. (4As)

Angat GenC

Angat Kalikasan Katutubo Pilipinas, Inc.

Aroroy Youth Environmental Guardian (AYEG)

Bayay Sibuyanon, Inc.

Baywatch Youth

Blue Earth Defense – PH