Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment. According to Philippine Constitution, it is the...

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment

According to Philippine Constitution, it is the state’s prime duty to

“protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature” (Art. II, Sec. 16)

However, the Arroyo administration not only failed to conform to this provision but also facilitated the rapid deterioration of the Philippine environment through her projects and policies.

Forestry

“We must take back our forests and replenish fallen tress with new, protected forests to protect our land and our people. We must reforest that land and bring back the beauty of the Philippines we all love and want.”

-Pres. Arroyo’s speech during a signing of a MOU, Rizal Hall, Malacanang, September 13, 2007

But…Removed log bans

and distributed commercial logging permits.

Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) 201 grants covering

714,000 hectares•Timber Licensing Agreements (TLA)

15 grants covering 691,000 hectaresLogging sites are located in our remaining forests and critical watersheds

Reforested Area from 1997-2006

YearReforested Area (in hectares)

2006 7,233 2005 16,498 2004 20,338 2003 15,088 2002 25,620 2001 31,444 2000 27,632 1999 42,167 1998 42,368 1997 66,237 TOTAL 294,625

Results = Less forest cover, landslides, increased floods…

ExampleAurora Landslide in

2004700 people killedHundreds injured

Images from http://www.thewe.cc/contents/more/archive2004/december/personal_tragedies_shattered_dreams.htm

Mining “Mining is a key driver of our economy and an

important sector that is bringing in significant levels of investment, creating jobs for the people and spurring exports…The short answer to continuing the economic growth summed in three words: invest, invest, invest.”

27, January 2007 speech before Dubai business leaders

60 priority large-scale mining projects mostly owned by foreign mining TNCs

Only 32 out of hundreds that are allowed have approved Social Development and Management Programs

MiningMining Revitalization

Program 22 to 63 priority

mining projects

Lafayette Mining, OceanaGold Mining, Rio Tuba Mining, TVI Mining

As of July 2008, 668,403 hectares of are under mining agreements

Lafayette Mining Inc.

Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay

Mining flagship project of Arroyo Administration

Started commercial operation in May 2005

Boasted of having very high and strict environmental standards and the most modern mining equipments and facilities

October 11, 2005-Major mine spillContaminated several

bodies of waterFish kill in Albay Gulf

Three more succeeding fish kills in the next three years

Continued operation under the South Koreans in caused massive marine

degradation in the area

Significant loss of livelihood and food resources

Illnesses and diseases

Agriculture

Rice crisis in 2008Continued

landlessness and backward agriculture

2002: Only 30% of total farm areas irrigated

Biofuels Act of 2006Lands will be

converted from food production to fuel production

Environmentally critical areas such as forests and watershed areas targeted for plantations

Marine Resources and Pollution

Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA)0% tariff on hazardous and toxic

wastesLarge Japanese fishing vessels

will be allowed in Philippine waters

Contribution to Climate Change

Economic policies on logging, mining, energy and agriculture are making our country more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Economy dependent on fossil fuels19% of our energy

resources come from coalFailure of Arroyo

government to develop and harness our indigenous and cheaper renewable energy resources such as geothermal, wind, solar and hydro

Persecution of Envi Advocates24 envi activists killed as of March 31, 2009

2 cases of attempted murder

2 cases of enforced disappearances

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs)Ex. Libel case vs. Center for

Environmental Concerns filed by Lafayette Mining Corp.

Mga panukala ng mga alyado ni GMA sa Cha-cha?

HR 1109 – Titipunin ang myembro ng Kongreso bilang con-ass para talakayin ang pang-ekonomyang probisyon na magbubukas pa sa ekonomya sa dayuhang pamumuhunan; may mga pangako pero mananatiling pangako

HR 737 – Dayuhang pagmamay-ari ng lupa para akitin ang dayuhang puhunan

Iba pa – Parliamentary-federal na tipo ng gobyerno (tinanggal na rin ang balakid sa dayuhang pandarambong sa likas na yaman

“If we reform the Constitution we will have even more investments.”

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoJanuary 27, 2007Davos, Switzerland

1. Desperadong makapanatili sa poder

2. Pagpapalawig pa ng kapangyarihang pulitikal (i.e. pakikialam sa Bill of Rights)

3. Palitan ang pang-ekonomyang probisyon sa Konstitusyon

4. Tanggalin ang balakid sa pagpasok ng dayuhang tropang militar at armas nukleyar

Ilang dahilan kung bakit isinusulong ang charter change?

Palitan ang pang-ekonomyang probisyon sa Konstitusyon ayon sa dikta ng dayuhan

Halimbawa ng probisyong gustong baguhin:

1. Naglilimita sa dayuhang pagmamay-ari at kontrol sa sa mga negosyo, estratehikong sektor at industriya sa bansa

2. Pagregularisa sa eksplorasyon, pagpapaunlad at paggamit sa pabansang patrimonya at pagbibigay ng karampatang karapatan, pribelihiyo

3. Pagbibigay ng pagtatangi sa mga Pilipino at pagbibigay diin sa reponsibilidad na protektahan, hikayatin at isulong ang pang-ekonomyang aktibidad ng mga Pilipino

4. Pagbibigay sa estado ng kapangyarihan para igiit ang pambansang pagsasarili, partikular sa mga sumusunod na larangan

a. Regulating trade, monopolies, and other economic activity in the public interest and in favor of Filipinos

b. Defining treaty-making powers

c. Giving the Supreme Court the power to assert the constitution's nationalist provisions

Ilang probisyon ng 1987 Constitution na hadlang sa malayang kalakalan, ayon sa USArt. II Sec. 19

The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos

Article XII National Economy and Patrimony

Section 1Compels the State to protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices

Section 2

Limits foreign participation to 40% in the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources

Section 7 Bans foreign ownership of lands

Source: US Trade Representative 2009

con-ass proponents are like rapists – cardinal rosales

In Summary…The Arroyo regime’s

economic policies worsened the condition of our already devastated state of our environment

Cha-Cha will only worsen the Philippine environmental condition by opening our natural resources to foreign plunder