NO to Mining in Palawan

The Save Palawan Movement launched the “No to Mining in Palawan” signature campaign
on February 3 in the hope of putting an end to mining activities in Palawan,
known as the Philippines’ Last Ecological Frontier.

The campaign aims to raise ten million signatures to deliver a strong message to the
Philippine and Palawan governments so that they would finally say no to mining in Palawan
and help protect one of the Philippines’ last remaining treasures.

Present at the launch were ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Gina Lopez, Palawan
Mayor Edward Hagedorn, “running priest” Fr. Robert Reyes, environment leaders Clemente
Bautista (Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment) and Atty. Jose Andres Canivel
(Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation), and Rhodora Angela Ferrer of the
Catholica Educational Association of the Philippines.

They were joined by Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas (WWF-Philippines) president Jose
Lorenzo Tan, country director for Conservation International Romy Trono, Atty. Gerthie
Mayo-Anda of Environmental Legal Asistance Center, executive director of Palawan NGO
Network Inc. Atty Bobby Chan, Tanggol Kalikasan executive director Atty. Rolly Bisquera–
Sheen, Alyansa Tigil Mina national coordinator Jaybee Garganera and various leaders of the
environmental movement in the country.

The ten million signature campaign came about after the killing of Dr. Gerardo “Doc Gerry”
Ortega, a civic leader who championed the protection of Palawan’s rich biodiversity and an
outspoken critic of mining operations in Palawan.

Palawan has 40% of our country’s remaining mangrove areas, 30% of our coral reefs, at
least 17 Key Biodiversity Areas, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and eight declared
protected areas. Palawan has an unmatched variety of species of flora and fauna.
Nevertheless, the Palawan ecosystem is fragile, given the island’s narrow shape and its thin
layer of topsoil that is prone to erosion, which makes it unfit for mining.

Mining has been taking place in the province, despite Republic Act No. 7611, or the
Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, that states that all types of natural forests, areas
above one thousand (1,000) meters elevation, peaks of mountains or other areas with very
steep gradients, and endangered habitats and habitats of endangered and rare species
should be fully and strictly protected and kept free of human disruption.

Moreover, both the granting of mining permits and new applications are increasing, even in
core protection zones. Old-growth forests are being cut down, water sources are being
polluted, ancestral lands are being taken over, and communities’ pleas are being ignored.

In many areas of Palawan, the communities have already made their stand against mining
by showing that ecotourism, based on the protection of precious natural resources, can
provide the people with the livelihood they need for development. Many leaders also
believe that Palawan can develop and achieve economic progress without the devastating
environmental destruction caused by mining.

Doc Gerry, who also served as project manager for the ABS-CBN Foundation, dreamt of a
Philippines where natural resources are protected and nurtured. As he was always quoted to
say, “Di kailangan sirain ang kalikasan para mapakinabangan.” The Save Palawan
Movement hopes that through the campaign, Doc Gerry’s dream will live on and eventually

Filipinos from all walks of life are invited to sign the petition below and to ask their family
and friends to do the same. For more information on the Save Palawan signature campaign
and Doc Gerry’s dream, visit the website http://www.no2mininginpalawan.com . For
inquiries and support, send e-mail to signatures@no2mininginpalawan.com or fax to: 632-
4152227