CPA Hosts National Mining Education Exchange

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) hosted a national mining education exchange from June 24-26, 2008 in Itogon and Mankayan here in Benguet province with 14 community leaders and organizers from General Santos, Zamboanga del Norte, Negros Occidental, Panay, Bicol, Southern Tagalog and Cagayan Valley. The activity was in coordination with the Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC).

The activity aimed to further equip the community leaders and organizers with knowledge and understanding on the national mining situation and the scope and depth of its impact in regions around the country, specifically in the Cordillera. Community exposure was one component of the exchange, which gave the delegates an opportunity to have a sharing session with local leaders on their mining struggles.

CPA Deputy Secretary General Santos Mero meanwhile provided an input on the gains and lessons of the CPA on its mining campaign from years of experience and learning from it. This was shared starting with efforts at the community level up to how CPA internationalizes its mining and human rights campaigns.

The CPA has recently participated the Third International Assembly of the International League of People's Struggles in Hong Kong, where it headed the Study Commission on Indigenous Peoples, National Minorities and Nationalities and passed a resolution against imperialist mining and plunder of resources.

At the end of the 3-day exchange, participants exchanged experiences and views from their community exposures to Mankayan and Itogon. They were also able to identify means they could employ to strengthen their mining campaigns in their own regions, provinces and communities. #