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First Posted on Inside Mindanao: October 18, 2007

Mining Timeline in Central Mindanao
By Rosalie Dolojo

October 6, 2007
In a resolution, Columbio Multi–Sectoral Ecology Movement, Inc. (CMEM) called on the Local Government Unit of Columbio, through the Sangguniang Bayan of Columbio, to come up with its definite stand on the issue of large scale mining.

Incumbent mayor of Columbio Edwin Bermudez, earlier, told the secretariat of CMEM that mining companies which include Sagittarius Mines, Inc., Indophil Resources of Australia, and Xtrata Holdings have applied for various mining activities in the entire town of Columbio.

Part of CMEM resolution states, “The leaders (during the ‘All Leaders Consultation on Mining’ last September) understood and are aware of the negative impact brought by mining in Columbio particularly the destruction of our only close canopy forest, the Mt. Bulol Lumot...”

Mt. Bulol Lumot is the water source of Alip River, Padada River, Manteo River, Buayan River, and Taplan River.

The CMEM resolution added, “Taplan River has 10 tributaries that supply water to South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat rice fields and that includes the Lutayan/Buluan Lake where Moro & Christian inhabitants depend their livelihood. The vast majority of water currently being utilized by the farmers and fisherfolks can be seriously affected by any proposed mining operation. ”

September 22, 2007
An “All Leaders Consultation on Mining” was held in Columbio. This consultation was attended by 64 community leaders in Columbio. During the consultation, the leaders formally re–affirmed their stand against mining in Columbio. The leaders also agreed that a resolution be made, through CMEM, asking the incumbent Sangguniang Bayan of Columbio to come up with their official stand on large scale mining in Columbio.

December 2, 2004
The Supreme Court reversed its own January 27, 2004 decision. The highest court now upholds the constitutionality of Republic Act 7942, as well as the FTAA of WMC (March 22, 1995: Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement [FTAA] was entered into by Australian–owned WMC and then President Fidel Ramos. The FTAA granted WMC a permit to conduct large–scale exploration, development and commercial exploitation of possible mineral deposits within a 99,387 land area in four provinces; namely, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato for a period of 25 years). The Supreme Court said that it agrees with Chamber of Mines in that there has never been any constitutional or statutory provision that reserved to Filipino citizens or corporations, at least 60 percent of which is Filipino–owned, the rendition of financial or technical assistance to companies engaged in mining or the development of any other natural resource.

January 27, 2004
Supreme Court declared the unconstitutionality of certain provisions of Republic Act 7942, as well as of the entire FTAA executed between the government and Western Mining Corporation (WMC); mainly on the finding that FTAAs are service contracts prohibited by the 1987 Constitution.

In 2001
WMC sold its shares in WMCP to Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (60% equity of which is Filipino–owned corporation).

April 1, 1998
Sangguniang Bayan of Columbio adopted a resolution denying/nullifying the resolution dated January 21, 1998 authorizing then Columbio mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement between the Municipal Government of Columbio and WMC.

January 21, 1998
Allegedly a resolution was adopted by the Sangguniang Bayan of Columbio authorizing then Columbio mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement between the Municipal Government of Columbio and WMC.

May 21, 1997
The Sangguniang Bayan of Columbio adopted a resolution manifesting their unanimous stand, which is “No to Mining.”

February 7, 1997
Indigenous peoples organizations such as La Bugal Tribal Association, Inc., local residents, and members of the Alternative Law Group (ALG) filed a petition to cancel the FTAA issued to WMC. The petition also challenged the constitutionality of Republic Act 7942.

March 1996
The Office of the Sangguniang Bayan and Office of the Mayor of Datu Paglas town, Maguindanao sent a letter to then President Fidel Ramos to cancel the Columbio FTAA.

The letter states, “The areas about to be encroached by this Mining Firm (WMC) are all considered watershed areas and forest perennially perpetuating the smooth flow of Alip River Basin... our source in irrigating our rice fields. ”

The letter added that the devastation of watershed area would only result to sudden flash floods, soil erosion, land slide, water pollution, and other perilous effects to wildlife sanctuary and human life.

March 22, 1995 Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) was entered into by Australian–owned WMC and then President Fidel Ramos. The FTAA granted WMC a permit to conduct large–scale exploration, development and commercial exploitation of possible mineral deposits within a 99,387 land area in four provinces; namely, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato for a period of 25 years.

March 3, 1995
Republic Act 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, was signed into law.

November 17, 1994

In a complaint, CHRISLAM’L (the earlier name of CMEM) composed of the B’laan tribe, Maguindanao, Ilongo, and Ilokano complained before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the alleged gathering of mineral samples in Columbio by WMC without consulting the people of Columbio.

August 1994
WMC publicly announced that they found world class copper and gold in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

With reports from Ellen Red

END