DAVAO CITY — Farmers, fisherfolks, landowners, and members of interfaith organizations braved the scorching heat of the sun as they march from Brgy. Libudon to Brgy. Dawan in Mati, Davao Oriental in an activity dubbed as “Baktas Katawhan Para sa Kinaiyahan (Peoples’ Walk for Nature)” to dramatize their protest against Bearbull Mining, Inc.
Led by a multi-sectoral group Kabukiran, Kapatagan, Kadagatan Panalipdi (KKKP), the protesters came together to oppose the large-scale mining operations of Bearbull Mining, Inc. in Purok San Pedro, Brgy. Dawan. Mati, Davao Oriental.
Gil Gentiles, chairperson of the anti-mining group, said that the operations started without prior consultations with the people of the affected communities. Now, operations are causing hazards like flooding and landslides not only in Purok San Pedro but the neighboring puroks and barangays as well.
“These hazards will cause destruction to agricultural lands and protected areas of Pujada Bay,” Gentiles said.
According to Sr. Stella Matutina, OSB, head of St. Scholastica’s Institute Education to Faith and Integral Development based in Mati and one of the protest organizers, “Baktas Katawhan Para sa Kinaiyahan” is a unity walk for the protection, justice and integrity of creation particularly aimed to stop all destructive mining and logging operations in Mati.
“The whole world continues to feel the effects of global warming and climate change. It is a good news that there are still many people who continue to spread the need to uphold the integrity of creation through different forms such as forest conservation, proper waste management, sustainable-organic-bio-diversified farming and strong opposition to destructive logging and mining,” Sr. Matutina said.
The environmental rights network Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao Region also joined the protest march. Francis Morales, Panalipdan-SMR spokesperson, urged the provincial government unit of Davao Oriental to take action on the just calls and demands of the citizens there. (CIO-Dvo. Oriental)
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