The protesters from the Mansaka tribe and peasants demand the PHP 6.9 Million payment of damages to 84 houses, bridge, livelihood and farm animals and rehabilitation of the silted Masara and Hijo rivers. They also opposed the expansion of the mining company towards open-pit and the construction of another dam.
By ACE R. MORANDANTE
Davao Today
MACO, Compostela Valley, Philippines — Hundreds of members of Indug Katawhan-Masara Lines, an indigenous people’s group of typhoon Pablo victims, blocked the gates of Apex mining company in Masara village here Monday to demand the reparation and rehabilitation of their homes and livelihood.
The protesters from the Mansaka tribe and peasants demand the PHP 6.9 Million payment of damages to 84 houses, bridge, livelihood and farm animals and rehabilitation of the silted Masara and Hijo rivers. They also opposed the expansion of the mining company towards open-pit and the construction of another dam.
In a statement, the group said they suffered the “worst calamity” last December when typhoon Pablo resulted to heavy flooding that destroyed 54 houses, partially damaged 30 houses, destroyed bridges, dislocated riverways and swept their livelihood, including crops and farm animals. The typhoon also killed two people.
The group blamed the Apex Mining Corporation, operating in Masara Lines, for the devastation.
“We have never experienced heavy floods before the operation of the foreign large-scale mining firm Apex Mining Corporation,” the group said. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
