CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, November 30, 2009—Local residents warmly welcomed Saturday about 50 hunger strikers at the Port of Calapan from the province after camping out of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ central office in Quezon City.
From the pier, the group proceeded to the Bishop’s Residence where a press conference was held.
Mangyan Mission Coordinator and fellow hunger-striker Fr. Edu Gariguez read the special order signed by Secretary Joselito Atienza which has temporarily revoked the controversial Environmental Compliance Certificate earlier issued in favor of Intex Resources.
Fr. Gariquez said the temporary revocation may be considered a significant victory for everyone in Mindoro Island.
The Special Order (No. 2009-921) dated November 27, 2009 said all allegations and issues against the controversial nickel mining project pursued by Intex Resources will be subjected to a formal inquiry.
The same order calls for the creation of an investigating team to be composed of independent experts nominated by the provincial governments of Oriental and occidental Mindoro and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Civil society and indigenous peoples based in the two provinces will be represented in the committee.
Mangyan leader Badang Isidro expressed his personal and his group’s thanks to Frs. Jimson Ruga, Calapan Social Action Center director and Edu Gariguez for their dedication and commitment to their cause.
“Ang elemento ng grasya ng Diyos at ng hindi matatawarang suportang ibinigay ni Bishop Broderick Pabillo ang naging malaking dahilan para hindi ako mawalan ng pag-asa at magpatuloy pa sa kabila ng panghihina ng katawan,” Fr. Gariquez was quoted as saying.
He said their struggle at the DENR Central Office turned into success with the whole-hearted support of the Church and Manila-based non-government organizations as well as foreign organizations.
“Minsan pang napatunayan na tayo’y may magagawa kung tayo’y sama-sama at nananalig sa Diyos,” he concluded. (Fely Sevilla)
