ATM Press Statement - On World IP Day - Defend the indigenous peoples against mining dams

On World Indigenous People’s Day

Defend the indigenous peoples against destructive mining and large dams

Quezon City – Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) supports the struggles of indigenous peoples all over the world. In their continuing journey to assert their right to self-determination and to defend their land, lives and culture, they have stood in front of destructive development projects and protect the forests, water and natural resources for everyone’s benefit.

Our alliance stands with the Ifugaos in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, who are demanding the immediate cancellation of the mining contract of OceanGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI). We echo their call that President Duterte must immediately order the closure of this open-pit mine and to direct the NCIP to consult the local indigenous communities and the local governments in the area. OGPI operations have abused the human rights of local communities, violated our environmental laws and failed to comply with its own contractual obligations under its expired mining contract.

ATM also supports the call of the Agta-Dumagat-Remontado tribes in Quezon and Rizal who are opposing the Kaliwa Dam project. This project will displace the indigenous communities, threaten the already endangered flaura and fauna in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, and compromise the farms and food sources of thousands of families in the areas. We stand in solidarity with the demands of the Stop Kaliwa Dam coalition to the DENR to withhold the issuance of the ECC for the Kaliwa Dam. The NCIP must likewise ensure that meaningful and genuine processes of securing the free, prior and informed consent of the affected indigenous communities are implemented.

For more details, please contact:

Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator – (+63917) 549.82.18 / nc@alyansatigilmina.net