Sibuyan CSO misrepresents the community in mining company deals, organizations, and respective members deny involvement
The recent news about the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between ‘Sibuyan-CSO MASIKAP’ groups and Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) has caused concern among various groups and individuals in Sibuyan. According to the press conference, the memorandum pledges the groups to help the mining company disseminate information about mining and implement projects such as hospitals and livelihood options in the region. However, members of these organizations mentioned have raised doubts about the legitimacy of their representation.
It is important for the people of Sibuyan to be aware of the deception that is taking place. The claim that Sibuyanons favor mining is simply not true. In fact, the majority of the community is against mining due to its negative impact on the environment and their way of life. The ‘Sibuyan-CSO MASIKAP’ groups that have signed this agreement with APMC do not represent the voice of the people, but rather their own interests.
Furthermore, it is important to hold these groups accountable for their actions. The signing of this memorandum of cooperation is a betrayal of the community’s trust and undermines sustainable development and environmental conservation efforts in Sibuyan. Instead of working towards the well-being of the people and the environment, these groups have aligned themselves with a mining corporation whose interests are diametrically opposed to those of the community.
The people of Sibuyan must remain vigilant and pressure the ‘Sibuyan-CSO MASIKAP’ groups to be transparent and accountable. Mining is a highly divisive issue that has far-reaching consequences for the community and the environment. The people of Sibuyan deserve to have their voices heard and their interests protected. The signing of this memorandum of cooperation is not a reflection of their wishes and should be treated with caution and skepticism.
The municipal councils in Sibuyan must urgently conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to shed light on this matter and make appropriate action to avoid further unrest and disinformation. We urge the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) national office to conduct a community dialogue to know and identify real stakeholders and sentiments.
-SAVE SIBUYAN, TIKOP SIBUYAN Steering Committee
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"As the current Chairperson of Nature's Ambassador of Sibuyan Island (NASI). As the rightful representative of the organization, we disown and denounce in the strongest possible terms the sealed agreement between us, the Sibuyan CSO- Masikap, and ALTAI corporation. The organization did not authorize any person to act on our behalf specially when signing deals with the said mining company. We did not engage and will not engage in any partnership or collaboration with ALTAI's representative. We love our island and will forever stand in the protection of its flora and fauna. The deception made by Sibuyan CSO- Masikap and ALTAI only proved that they are into shady business. We will not allow our name to be included in this harmful collaboration." -Arjun Roca, Chairperson of Nature Ambassadors of Sibuyan Island (NASI)
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Clarification lng po for this matter...the Magdiwang Agrarian Reform Cooperative - CSO of Magdiwang did not authorized (sic) any Board of Director to attend and sign this Memorandum with Altai Mining Company...
- Joan Ruga, Board Secretary of Madiwang Agrarian Reform Cooperative
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NAG DESISYON KAYO NA HINDI ALAM NG IBANG MGA KASAMA AT OPISYAL NG SAMAHANG ITO❗
BILANG VICE CHAIR OF SIBUYAN CSO KINOKONDINA KO ANG PASYANG ITO NA PAGLALAGAY SA SIBUYAN CSO SA KOMPROMISONG HINDI NILA SINASANGAYUNAN PARTIKULAR ANG MAYORYANG MIEMBRONG MANGINGISDA, MAGSASAKA KABABAIHAN KATUTUBO, KABATAAN
MR. REYMOND COMETA. ANG ATING NAPAG KASUNDUAN AY GREEN, HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT ANG I PROMOTE NATIN NOT MINING, ANO NANGYARI AT NANG MAKATANGGAP KAYO NG OFFER SA ALTAI NI HINDI NYO NA KAMI KINUNSULTA AT GINAMIT NYO PA PATI PANGALAN NG GRUPONG NANIWALANG TOTOO KAYO SA MGA USAPAN
- Elizabeth Ibañez, chosen as Vice Chair of Sibuyan-CSO Masikap in its inception. Ibeñez is advocacy officer of Bayay Sibuyanon Inc.
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Ako bilang nahalal na kalihim ay kusang binibitawan ang posisyong ibinigay sa akin. Malinaw na hindi namin alam ang mga bagay na ito. Itoy hindi dumaan sa tamang konsoltasyon. Itoy kataksilan sa aming tiwala pati sa mga Sibuyanon.
- Mico John Rivero, chosen Secretary of Sibuyan-CSO Masikap in its inception. He was then local coordinator of ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Kalikasan.
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MGA BOD AT MEMBERS NG SFARRC...CGURO PWED NA YAN PAGBUTUHAN NA TANGGALIN SI RAMONITO GUBATON SA PAGKA CHAIRMAN NG COOP...KASI DELIKADO YANG TAONG YAN ..GAGAMITIN NYA ANG MEMBERS NG COOP PRA SA INTEREST NYA....NAGPAGAMIT SYA SA ALTAI...ALAM KASI NG ALTAI NA MARAMI ANG MEMBERS NG SFARRC KAYA SYA ANG NILAPITAN....KAYA SA MGA BODs NG COOP pliss kung pwd Alison na ang TAONG yan bilang chairman...pati po sa irrigators association...GAGAMITIN lang po tayo kayo ng TAONG ito...isipin nyo...ne represent nya ang sfarcc na hindi man lang nag consulta sa mga bod at members kung PUmAPAYAG ba na magkaroon ng mina dito sa sibuyan....hindi yan taga sibuyan kala mo mka papel kung sino....
- Fabert 'Nonong' Reyes, member of San Fernando Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (SFARCC)
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Please refer also to the following Facebook post of Mr. Rodne R. Galicha:
For updates please refer to the official page: https://web.facebook.com/tikopsibuyan
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