ATM reaction on the lifting of mining moratorium

April 15, 2021

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is greatly shocked and deeply dismayed by the issuance of Malacanang of Executive Order 130, lifting the moratorium on new mineral agreements. This is a betrayal of the Duterte administration against the legacy of former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez; and treachery against the future generations of Filipinos.

Pres. Duterte has completed his turn around, from claiming to protect the environment and stop the destruction of forests by destructive mining to a pro-mining president. Lifting the mining moratorium exposes his administration’s support for mining projects that will impact our water, food supply, forest, biodiversity, indigenous communities, and fragile island ecosystems.

One week before we celebrate Earth Day 2021, the minions of this regime led by DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu and DoF Sec. Carlos Dominguez has once again failed the Filipino people in standing up for ecological integrity and environmental sustainability. This will be the saddest Earth Day celebration for many communities

In the middle of a climate crisis and this pandemic, corporate interests and profit has won again over the welfare and benefits of the many.

ATM will not take sitting down. We will mobilize all our members to intensify and broaden the resistance against mining, especially those who will benefit from this new policy. And we will defy this callous government that keeps turning a blind eye against mining-affected communities and environmental defenders. #