INDIGENOUS women from the Tuwali community in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, have waged a decades-long struggle against OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI), highlighting the devastating impacts of the corporation’s operations.
The mining giant’s large-scale activities have decimated forests, disrupted vital food and water sources, and heightened vulnerability to climate change in the region.
OGPI stands accused of forcibly demolishing indigenous homes without proper compensation or relocation, a matter confirmed by a Commission on Human Rights investigation. Despite calls for government intervention and the revelation of numerous human rights abuses, OGPI’s Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) remains intact, even renewed for another 25 years in 2021.
Malou Verano, representing Ang Aroroy Ay Alagaan, Inc., and a member of the Women and Mining Working Group (WMWG), emphasized the additional suffering this renewal brings to communities, particularly women and youth, exacerbating environmental degradation and indigenous plight.
Despite persistent efforts by indigenous women to engage with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over the years, their pleas have been ignored by successive administrations, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and exploitation.
Instances of violent repression, such as the April 2020 blockade dispersal, have resulted in baseless redtagging and harassment, disproportionately affecting women.
Joan Sicoan, a Tuwali youth leader, condemned OGPI’s influence on education, livelihoods, and family dynamics, emphasizing the community’s steadfast resistance despite contract renewals.
Yesterday, April 22, the community, supported by Nueva Vizcaya-based organizations and the Diocese of Bayombong, filed a Petition for Certiorari and Mandamus challenging OGPI’s 2021 FTAA renewal.
The petition cites OGPI’s failure to adhere to consent and consultation processes and the absence of necessary environmental clearances.
Beth Ibañez, a leader in the Sibuyan Island anti-mining campaign and WMWG member, echoes support for the indigenous petitioners, stressing the importance of respecting community voices and livelihoods in such decisions.
The Women and Mining Working Group (WMWG) of Alyansa Tigil Mina urges the government to swiftly address the petition, declaring the FTAA null and void due to legal non-compliance and revoking the renewal agreement. They advocate for prioritizing sustainable food and water sources and environmental preservation over corporate interests, underscoring the imperative of upholding human rights in resource management. (CBC)
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