AMTUAGAN FOLK IN TUBO, ABRA URGE MUNICIPAL GOV'T TO SUPPORT THEIR RESOLUTIONS VS. LARGE MINES, MILITARIZATION

BANGUED, Abra (July 9)-Residents of Barangay Amtuagan in Tubo municipality in this province came up with two resolutions in mid-June on the entry and operations of large mines in Tubo, and the worsening human rights violations therein as a result of massive militarization. The resolutions are for submission to the Tubo municipal council so that proper ordinances will be passed to support such move from the community. These will also be submitted to other institutions, and to government agencies like the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

KASTAN, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) chapter in Abra, had just responded to an educational forum request from Amtuagan community on June 14, which tackled large scale mining and its impact, especially to the ancestral land and resources of indigenous peoples, which was discussed by Estrella Balutoc of the KASTAN secretariat. Inputs on the national, regional and provincial situations were also given, with emphasis to mining and agriculture by the provincial peasant alliance TUMAKDER Secretary General Jay Peña, while the human rights situation was discussed by Abra Human Rights Alliance (AHRA) Spokesperson Irene Timbreza. Over 180 community members, including elders and the youth, were present during this activity.

CPA Deputy Secretary General Santos Mero said that presently, there are four mining applications under process in Tubo. This includes one MPSA (Mineral Production and Sharing Agreement) with a total land area of 4,455 by Almagan Exploration Company, which includes a part of Bucloc. There are also three EXPA (Exploration Permit Applications) by the following companies/entities: Michael Gabuna, Antonio Pena, covering 1,620.00 hectares; Heirs of Valeriano P. Damasen, covering 324 hectares, and Malibato Mining Co., Inc. Block 1 with a total land area of 11,158.00 hectares.

The MPSA applications of Asia Pacific Mineral Services and Exploration Corporation (9,963 has.) and W. E. Hale and Association Mining Corporation (3,888.00 has.) were denied/rejected, but these two companies can always re-file these applications. If these two will be included, the total land area covered by mining applications in Tubo municipality is 35,863 has.

The educational forum was enlightening for the community, as shown in the resolutions they made, which was signed by all community members, including the youth and children. #