ILOILO – On Saturday night, April 13, a diverse group of residents, students, barangay officials, environmental advocates, and volunteers gathered at the beachfront of Sitio Dapdap, Barangay Tambaliza, Pan de Azuar Island in Concepcion town for a “pray for a cause” event aimed at saving the island.
The event, organized by the “Save Pan de Azucar Movement”, was themed “Igniting the Light. A Night of Hope.”
The highlight of the evening was a candle-lighting ceremony calling for the protection of Pan de Azucar against mining.
“This gathering and unity in prayer is to give thanks to the Almighty for standing with the residents and those fighting against the threats to the island, and to acknowledge the efforts that halted the mining exploration on Pan de Azucar Island,” according to the ‘”ave Pan de Azucar Island Movement”, an environmental conservation organization formed to oppose previous exploration activities by TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD).
Environmental advocates, tourists, local government units (LGUs) from Concepcion and Barotac Viejo town, and students from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), as well as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other volunteers, also attended the event.
Last week, the movement also distributed a petition paper for residents to sign, showing opposition to the exploration and potential mining activities.
“This action unites us to prevent matters beyond our control that could harm our environment from disturbances to the earth and the depths of Pan de Azucar,” the movement stressed.
It encouraged residents to show their support, emphasizing that “the sea, mountains, and land are more important than short-term financial gains.”
Read part of the petition: “As we express our strong opposition against the inhumane acts of alien companies on Pan de Azucar Island, we affix our signatures to appeal to the higher authorities to act immediately and demand not to grant renewal of their permits to resume their exploration/mining activities. It’s time for the government to act, defend, and favor its citizens over these companies because we believe that the voice of the people, our voice, is the voice of God.”
Last month, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) to TVI Resource Development, Inc. from Makati City, and Mindoro Resources Ltd. from Canada, which were conducting exploration activities on Pan De Azucar.
According to Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., head of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), the CDO was a “precautionary measure” to protect the health of the residents and the marine life in the area, following field investigations that confirmed the presence of arsenic in groundwater within the vicinity.
At a committee hearing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on April 3, Atty. Jess Uy, legal counsel for TVIRD, confirmed that the mining company ceased exploration activities immediately upon receiving the CDO, respecting the order and local ordinances of Concepcion and the provincial government./PN
