Basta... We Oppose! Period!

BASTA… WE OPPOSE!  PERIOD!

By Anton Antonio

August 2, 2015

The death of 9 mines workers in Antique last month brought the operations of the Semirara Mining and Power Corporation into the public eye… especially environmentalist groups opposed to the use of coal as an energy source.  Here is a researched material and update on this controversy:

“CHURCH GROUPS SEEK SEMIRARA COAL MINES’ CLOSURE

By Keith Richard D. Mariano – GMA News

August 2, 2015 (Sunday)

Catholic Church organizations on Saturday called for the permanent closure of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s Antique coal mines on environmental concerns.  In a joint statement, the Antique Diocesan Social Action Center and Caritas Philippines pushed for a mining ban in Antique following a July landslide in which nine workers at the company’s Panian open pit mine were killed.  The groups cited studies showing how Semirara’s coal mining activities supposedly destroyed 83.92 hectares of mangrove areas and over 2 kilometers of coral reefs from 2009 to 2014.  The mining operations also supposedly introduced toxic materials to surrounding waters and destroyed the fishing ground shared by Antique, Romblon, Mindoro and Palawan.  The Church groups also opposed the extension of Semirara’s operating contract to 2027 and the expansion of its coverage to 12,700 hectares from 5,500 hectares over concerns that coal mining operations help accelerate global warming.  “We demand that the government recognize the direct contribution of coal mining and coal powered operations to global warming.  It is the entire country that stands at a loss for every environmental disaster that hits it,” the statement read.  Semirara, the biggest coal miner in the Philippines accounts for 92 percent of the country’s total coal production.  Its truck and shovel operations could produce 8 million metric tons of coal annually.  “The government has to immediately shift to less evil sources of power even as it finds better, more environmentally sound, socially just and sustainable sources of energy,” the group, however, insisted.  Pope Francis recently issued an encyclical calling climate change “a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods.”  This is the reason why the Semirara disaster could not be taken out of the context of global plundering of the earth’s resources.  These coal plants are environmental crimes done in broad daylight.” The groups said.” --- DVM, GMA News

I agree on the following points: (1) That coal, as an energy source, is not sustainable: (2) That government must recognize the direct contribution of coal mining and coal powered operations to global warming; and, (3) That government has to immediately shift to less evil sources of power that are better, more environmentally sound, socially just and sustainable sources of energy.  I cannot argue with this.  However, on the issue of closing the Semirara operations without the provision of “safety nets”, I do not quite agree.

We should consider that our mining industry is part of our national economic development program and a considerable amount man hours in research has been used in putting such a plan together.  We also should realize that the Semirara mining operations is a business venture and, as such, is fuelled by financial investments both domestic and international.  It will be an economic policy direction tragedy if this mining operation is shut down without instituting some kind of safety net such as the following: (a) Making sure that the livelihood opportunities of local communities continues; and, (b) Investors are allowed to recover their investments… or this will definitely send wrong signals to investors and would-be investors in the mining industry.

The biggest misgiving that pro-environmental advocates and activists commit is being inflexible and having the “basta” mentality (meaning: saying “basta” we oppose without giving any educated basis for their opposition).  Laying the basis for opposing something must also be accompanied by suggestions on how to manage a particular opposition.  Perhaps, as an example, the following methodology should be suggested too: (1) Shut down the mining operation of Semirara alright; (2) Get Semirara to pay for whatever environmental damage it caused; and, (3) For government to allow Semirara some degree of tax credits and/or other incentives which will encourage the company to develop other environmentally sound projects related to energy sourcing initiatives.  This will guarantee livelihood opportunities and keep investors calm.  I believe that suggestions like these will help in managing conflicts rather than simply saying: “BASTA… WE OPPOSE!  PERIOD!”

Just my little thoughts…

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