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PAGTA holds Balik-Ili in Didipio

By CHRISTOPHER ALLEN S. MARQUEZ

Nueva Vizcaya is one of the country’s most diplomatic provinces. The serene environment and hospitable and accommodating people have paved the way for Nueva Vizcaya to an incessant growth for a more developed yet peaceful province. With its tranquil environment endowed with profuse natural resources, this province has maintained continuous development. The material goods and possessions of Nueva Vizcaya have been further improved due to an invaluable action and cooperation of Novo Vizcayanos with the local government. Nueva Vizcaya is one of the recognized provinces in the Philippines in terms of human development.

Kasibu is one of Nueva Vizcaya’s prides. Located in a mountainous area, it has been a good place for citrus production. Kasibu is known due to its abundant and bountiful citrus production. They also celebrate their Citrus Festival every September. Kasibu is also a home to Alayan Caves and it is the second longest cave in the Philippines. This makes Nueva Vizcaya one of the tourist attractions in the country.

However, Nueva Vizcaya has been in the headline of many newspapers in the recent months. With the upcoming start of construction of a mining company in Didipio, a lot of environmentally concerned individuals, groups and organizations have visited Didipio to discuss with the people and the mining company. These concerned groups came to Didipio to witness how all the exploration and the upcoming operation has positively or negatively changed the culture and sociopolitical conditions of Didipio.

Didipio and its people, by and then

Didipio is located at the further place of Kasibu. It is contained by the Mamparang Mountains between Magat and Cagayan Valley to the west and south respectively. It serves as the boundary of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. Before reaching this area of Kasibu, rocky and slippery road will definitely welcome the travelers. Visiting groups have to course an approximately 16 kilometers that is about three to four hour-trek heading up to Didipio. There are only three PUJ’s that operate to transport passengers to Didipio.

The place used to be a hunting area of the Bugcalots. Ifugaos are the major settlers of the Barangay. They came to this Barangay after knowing its bountiful resources. It was first occupied by seven people from Ifugao who were all in search for a fertile land suited for farming and agriculture. Kalanguya, Kankanaey, Ibaloi, Ilocano, Bontoc and other Visayan settlers also inhabit Didipio.

However, the presence of the mining company struck the people. The basement of this mining company placed a controversial incursion to the people. It caused division in terms of principles and ideologies. Some belong themselves to pro-groups who allows the operation of the mining company. While some other people declares their paramount opposition. There is a third group which is composed of the small-scale miners who have been already digging for gold yet claims to be at the anti-mining group’s side.

On a bigger perspective, not only that Didipio is placed into varying ideological concerns. The Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Nueva Vizcaya has been also put into this situation where political leaders have entered into series of dialogues and meetings. Until the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have allowed the mining company to operate after series of perusals.

While the Sangguniang Bayan of Kasibu came out with a resolution for the non-endorsement of the mining company in Didipio. The members of the Sanggunian Bayan voted 6-4 withstanding the mining activity in Kasibu. Almost all the officials of Didipio Barangay Council voted against mining except the Barangay Captain.

PAGTA and env’t protection

PAGTA or Paggawisan Tako Am-in is a cultural organization at the University of the Philippines Baguio. Students who belong to an ethnic or indigenous group comprise this organization yet few years back, the organization only consists of members from the Cordillera Administrative Region. However, when the Educational Assistance Program of UP Baguio expanded its program, PAGTA have gone across the same way. Program for Indigenous Culture, formerly EAP, has now included indigenous groups outside CAR in its program. At the same time, PAGTA has also integrated members not only from CAR.

Since PAGTA is a cultural organization, one of its major projects is the service for indigenous peoples. This is apparently conducted through the realization of BALIK-ILI. This project intends to go back to an indigenous community struck by issue/s affecting the indigenous peoples. This project or activity is conducted once a year on their semestral break.

This year, PAGTA devoted its time serving the people of Didipio. Last October 18 to 21, PAGTA members were all-ears to the people affected. While Didipio people thrashed out their stand on the mining operation, PAGTA members were focused to them critically interpreting their statements.

PAGTA members also entered into a dialogue with the company on October 20. In the discourse, the plan for the mining location as well as the operation was surfaced. It was also included in the discussion all the plans of the company for Didipio and to its people.

Climax Arimco Mining Corp.

An Australian Mining Company operates Climax-Arimco. From Climax Mining LTD (Australia) to Climax-Arimco it was then again changed into Australasian Philippines Mining Company.

The exploration in Didipio started in 1989. It was only in June 1994 when the first Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement was granted to Climax-Arimco. Initially, the FTAA covers an area of 37, 000 hectares until it was ultimately reduced to 5000 hectares. The first Environmental Compliance Certificate was issued to Climax-Arimco in 1999. The ECC has entered into two revisions. It was in 2000 and 2004 when the ECC has come into its first and second revisions respectively.

The location of the mining operation is in Mt. Dinkidi. The mountain peak was named after Chinese word that means pure gold. The elevation at Dinkidi is 800 meters. It will take for the Climax-Arimco to operate 15 years. The first year will be utilized for the construction period such as railroad, tailing dams and diversion tunnels. Other proposed infrastructures include accommodation village and relocation sites for the affected families. The remaining 14 years will be used for the actual operation.

The plans of the mining company comprise employment, 65km road, improvement of schools, hospitals and Barangay facilities and fresh water supply. As part of the conditions set in the Environmental Compliance Certificate, the mining company maintained their claim to a responsible mining.

DESAMA, anti-mining org

Didipio Earth Savers and Anti-Mining Association, Inc. is an organization of Didipio anti-mining groups. They are devoted in saving the environment by means of ceasing the operation of the mining company.

DESAMA was organized in 1998. Kagawad Roldan Cut-ing is now the third chairman of DESAMA. Most of the people of Didipio are members of this association. As a matter of fact, youth in Didipio also have their organization called the DESAMA Youth Anti-Mining Organization or Dyamo. This organization also holds activities that pertain to the cessation of the mining activity in Didipio.

Pro-mining groups also have their organization. In fact, they have more organizations compared to the anti-mining organization. However, a member of one pro-mining organization is also a member of the other pro-mining organization. #

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