Church group exposes malpractices by mining firms in RP

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A church group based in the United Kingdom expressed concern over the alleged practice of powerful foreign companies to employ “manufactured consent" to get away from social and environmental responsibilities in countries where they operate. In a report titled “Kept in the Dark," the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod) cited alleged abuses of mining firm BHP Billiton and its local partner Asiaticus Management Corporation (Amcor) which made it appear that they had the support of communities affected by their projects. “In a country where the survival of many people in power means having the propensity to manufacture lies to cover crimes and doll-up accomplishments to prop up their corporate images, there now is an emerging campaign by very powerful foreign industries to utilize a so-called ‘manufactured consent,’ this time to get away from social and environmental responsibilities," said the report. Amcor is a relatively unknown Philippine company but is said to be led by some figures reputedly close to Malacañang. BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest mining company has planned to invest US$ 1.5 to US$3 billion for a nickel mine and processing plant in Macambol, Mati, Davao Oriental. Macambol is a coastal community located between two protected areas namely Hamiguitan mountain range, which was declared by the national government as a wildlife sanctuary in 2004 and Pujada Bay, declared a protected seascape in 1994. In 2004-2005, mining permits were granted by the government to seven companies collectively represented by Amcor, and Macambol was included in the permits for areas that can be mined. The two companies are, however, currently locked in a legal battle, with Amcor alleging that BHP Billiton has committed fraud while the latter alleged that some Amcor officials close to Malacañang tried to extort P200 million more from the UK-based mining firm. The Cofad report noted that because of the on-going dispute, the mining-affected communities are caught in the middle of the conflict due to divisive tactics that the companies are employing, peculiarly to show which of them has the support of the community. BHP Billiton claims that more than 7,000 jobs will be available once the project goes full swing. But some community members told Cofad that people are reluctant to speak out against mining for fear that they will lose access to jobs if the mine goes ahead. Amcor, according to Cafod, claimed that it has community development activities, with a monthly budget of around P150,000, and that they have constructed three schools, supported livelihoods and provided potable water and feeding programs. Cofad’s 36-page report, which was launched in Davao last Wednesday, exposed alleged business malpractices of BHP Billiton and Amcor, including reports from community members that Amcor has under its payroll leaders who gave their approval to the project. These allegedly includes the supposed monthly pay-offs to a local tribal chief, who was said to be receiving between P15,000 to P35,000 per month. Divide and rule According to Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), BHP Billiton’s methods of divide and conquer, intimidation, bribery and the creation of outright fake authority figures which then give their “blessing" to the mine, are familiar since these have been used in other areas such as in Mt. Canatuan in Zamboanga del Norte, in Oriental Mindoro province and Didipio village in Nueva Vizcaya. “The mining company blinded the people with the promise of jobs, livelihood and development in order to silence those who are opposed to mining project, “ATM said. Incompetence at NCIP Cofad, the development agency of the Catholic Church of England and Wales, also recorded the disappointing behavior of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), whose revamp is being sought by ATM, “due to its general incompetence." A confession made to Cofad by a community leader in Macambol revealed that a person named Jun Cabisong of the NCIP offered him 70 percent of P100,000 to be shared between ten other leaders if they will all give their consent to mining through a signed agreement with Amcor, with Cabisong keeping 30 per cent. The ‘Kept in the Dark" report has provided evidence that there are flaws in the community consent process, bribery by Amcor and government officials, lack of transparency and information sharing to the local people about the project and the potential dangers to the environment and to local livelihoods. It also made recommendations for the mining firm and the government to conduct a new Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process along with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to respect the rights of all communities affected, to ensure transparency, sufficient information and that no corrupt practices will be involved in the project. While Cofad acknowledges that modern industrial societies could not function without metals and therefore without mining, it has reminded mining companies like BHP Billiton of their duty to ensure that highest standards are met in all of its projects, by all of its joint venture partners, contractors and suppliers. Meanwhile, the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center – Kasama sa Kalikasan (LRC-KsK ) has called for the scrapping of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, claiming that it does not serve the interest of the indigenous peoples and rural poor communities. - GMANews.TV