Members of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) gathered in protest outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), voicing their strong opposition to large-scale mining practices that they deem harmful to the environment. With banners proclaiming “Uphold Green, Resist Greed,” the demonstrators called upon DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga to prioritize the well-being of communities and ecosystems over the interests of mining corporations.
Chanting “Pumanig sa Tao, ‘Wag sa Negosyo” (Side with the People, Not Business), the protesters urged Secretary Loyzaga to halt seabed quarrying activities and revoke mining contracts in Sibuyan, Romblon, and Brooke’s Point, Palawan.
They questioned the rhetoric of mining companies that claim to practice “responsible” mining, with Jaybee Garganera, ATM’s National Coordinator, describing responsible mining as a myth without concrete parameters to measure it.
Garganera emphasized that mining corporations often disregard the profound environmental and community impacts of their activities, highlighting issues such as loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, health hazards, and displacement of communities.
Protesters displayed a crossed-out replica of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) logo, critiquing the recently concluded COMP International Conference and Exhibition.
The protest was part of ATM’s “Mining Hell Week,” a week-long series of events aimed at raising awareness of critical issues surrounding mining. It serves as a platform for discussions and advocacy to stop environmentally damaging mining operations in affected communities.
