Reds warn against massive coal mining in Caraga

By BEN SERRANO
Correspondent

BUTUAN City–Communists are up in arms against the upcoming coal mining in Caraga, arguing the extractive industry would not only destroy some 110 thousand hectares but dislocate indigenes who have long been living in the area.

With 20,000 hectare in Caraga already awarded by government for coal mining to mining firms Abacus Coal Exploration, Great Wall Mining, Benguet Corp., and Bislig Ventures, the National Democratic Front (NDF)-in Northeastern Mindanao warned that the massive operations to start this year, would cause the wanton destruction of 110 thousand hectares, and thousands of people, mostly lumad, would be driven off their ancestral lands.

In a press statement, NDF spokesperson “Ka Maria” said another seven large-scale companies have been allowed to appropriate over 30 thousand hectares in the region for explorations while another 62 thousand hectares were allotted for massive coal mining operations in the region by national government.

Ka Maria claimed Caraga is currently the target for the largest coal mining in Mindanao. She said over 110 thousand hectares are being targeted for coal mining.

“Fifty nine coal-fired power plants are set to operate in the Philippines and half of these companies will operate in Mindanao,” Ka Maria Malaya said.

At present, there are two coal power plants operating in Mindanao, one in Misamis Oriental and another in Davao City.

Another three plants are being built in Maasin (Sarangani),  Sta. Cruz  (Davao del Sur) and at the Phividec (Misamis Oriental).

According to Malaya, the government is strongly pushing for coal energy to answer the needs of big capitalist companies instead of implementing sustainable, safe and clean energy like hydro, solar and air.

She said the development of more coal mining plants and establishing more coal mining areas directly violated the resolution at the recent world conference in Paris that prohibits the building of new coal-fired power plants and the gradual abandonment of coal energy because of its highly destructive effects.

“Coal-fired power plants will discharge hazardous emissions that would aggravate global warming and contribute to climate change, a problem that is widespread escalating as shown in the increase and intensity of typhoons like Yolanda, Pablo and Sendong,” Ka Maria said.

She said the destruction of forests and mountains for mining would dislocate and destroy the livelihood of thousands of people and worsen the rapid climate change of the planet.

“This will also mean militarization to brutally suppress those who oppose, harass and drive away residents from the area that the capitalists will mine,” she said.