Save Palawan petition

Here, mining is controversial, because it degrades the environment. Having lived in the coal mining regions of Pennsylvania, we used to see the slagheap as part of our view, and how the streams turned red.

Yes, there can be responsible mining practices: but too often bribery and corruption mean no regulation for outside miners who care nothing about destroying the area, and the really bad news is that if people are poor, often they do their own illegal small mining which is even worse for the environment. The result is pollution, landslides and of course miners dying from cave ins and disease.

But Palawan is a jewel that shouldn't be destroyed, because it is more valuable for biodiversity and tourism.


In Palawan, there is a major scandal because one environmental activist/reporter was assassinated to keep him quiet on the corruption behind the mining there. From ABS-CBN:

Sombra and Lagrada are among those who have backed the "No to Mining in Palawan" signature campaign launched Thursday (Feb. 3) by the Save Palawan Movement spearheaded by ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Gina Lopez, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn, and members of civil society, academe, non-government organizations, and the clergy.

The signature campaign, which came about after the killing of civic leader, environmentalist and broadcaster Dr. Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega in January 2011, hopes to raise 10 million signatures to send a strong message to the governments of the Philippines and Palawan of the need to stop mining activities in Palawan and help protect its natural resources...

(Palawan)is home to 40% of the Philippines' remaining mangrove areas, 30% of the country's coral reefs, 17 key biodiversity areas, 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Natural Park and the Tubbataha National Marine Park), and 8 declared protected areas. It also has a wide variety of flora and fauna species.

more HERE.


No to Mining in Palawan website.