On September 2, 2006 (two months after the First Assembly SAM on July 2, 2006) the people of Sibuyan Island united themselves for the first time for a common cause. They have expressed their disagreement on the approved nickel mining in Brgys. Taclobo and España.

At 5:30 in the morning, the bells of Our Lady of Rosary Parish Church in Magdiwang tolled to awaken the people and commence the caravan to San Fernando, Romblon. Jeepneys, tricycles, cars and trucks loaded with hundreds of people from all walks of life were on their way led by Dr. Art Tansiongco, Fr. Tony Festin and Vice Mayor Denisa Repizo. Later, they were joined by the stakeholders from Danao (Cajidiocan) with Fr. Rolly Fabul making the contingent a thousand. On their way, the supportive people of the Municipality of Cajidiocan with Mayor Athena Malapitan and Fr. Pershing Faeldog marching on to San Fernando now in thousands. And reaching San Fernando, where a Holy Mass was celebrated, the number reached to 5,000.

With full force, a three-kilometer caravan forwarded to the rally site which is in front of the mining site where they met the contingent from San Fernando barangays España, Mabulo, Mabini and Agtiwa led by Fr. Woody Tandog and some barangay officials led by Mr. Donato Royo (a Seventh-day Adventist who broke the rules of his religion making a speech in front of the people on a Saturday) and elementrary school principal Mrs. Elma Galicha; and the group from the mountain village Lumbang led by the SVD missionary priest Fr. Lois Ortner, SVD - and a strong number to 8,000 is estimated in a kilometer stretch of people.

The rally started with an emotional prayer by Fr. Rolly Fabul and the National Anthem by selected students. The people were welcomed by Brgy. Taclobo resident Mr. Jolito Robiso. Fr. Tony Festin read the pastoral letter of His Excellency Most Rev. Jose Corazon Tala-oc expressing his support for the advocacy and call for the people to continue fighting for the environment. Fr. Festin assured the attendees of Bishop Arturo Bastes’ support for the advocacy.

Mr. Donato Royo, the treasurer of Brgy España expressed his disgust to the recommendation of the España barangay council considering the fact that after three consultations, no mining recommendation was made. On the other hand, Taclobo’s barangay councilman Dan Tan, in behalf of his colleagues, clarified in his speech that Resolution No. 10 dated November 28, 2005 signed by Brgy. Captain Wene Romano and SK Chairman Vinas was null and void because there is no such thing as Resolution No. 10 considering the fact that the last resolution they passed was Resolution No. 7. He said that the there was no existing minutes of the meeting pointing to the resolution in question and that the manner of the resolution presentation was advanced and doubted as pre-fabricated. Hence, the majority of the barangay councilman passed Resolution No. 18 disowning Resolution No. 10 and declaring it null and void. (Note that these kagawads were strengthened and encouraged by the religious sisters of the Ancilae Domus Dei led by Sr. Lucy Evangelio; Brgy Capt. Wene Romano was supposed to talk with these nuns, however his children hindered him to do so).

An elementary pupil, Sian Narvadez, expressed his participation as a representative of the younger generation.

Mayor Athena Malapitan said that she was so overwhelmed by the presence of the people from all municipalities and that she together with her constituents will never permit any activity that would destroy Sibuyan Island (Note that Cajidiocan Municipal Council passed a resolution against the mining activity). Vice Mayor Denisa Repizo of Magdiwang in her speech, was deeply touched of the unity of the people. She assured that her people will always stand for the environment and fight for it and that her council had already passed a resulotion supporting the advocacy. Mayor Dindo C. Rios of San Fernando thanked all the people present. He clarified that the municipal government was overlooked by the miners and insisted the right of the municipal government under the Local Government Code of the republic. He further stressed that no consultation was made by the provincial government. The chief of police, due to non-compliance of the order of the mayor, was requested to be relieved from the post.

Jon-jon Sarmiento in behalf of Alyansa Tigil Mina oriented the everyone on their basic, legal and inherent rights as stakeholders and calmed down the emotion as they still have more mobilizations chances to express the advocacy. He assured the full support in any way of Mindoro’s ALAMIN and the national alliance ATM. A letter from Calapan’s Social Action Center Fr. Allan Fallaria (a Romblomanon) was also read.(With him is the singer artist Dobie Cajayon and the videographer Robert Bajia.)

Fr. Tony Festin in his powerful speech said that together with his fellow priests, they are willing to support the advocacy to the extent of laying down their lives. The Good News according to him is that the people are united for the protection of God’s creation. Before he was branded as pro-mining and has been in constant communication with the miners, but he clarified that it was a beginning tactic to intude and collect facts to counteract the activity. True to his word, vital documents are now being held confidentially by SAM. He said that the miners knew that he is pro-environment. Now, with Fr. Nestor Gadon (one of the pioneer advocates) who thanked all the people for joining, all the priests are united for the advocacy.

Meanwhile, the main gate of the mining site was padlocked with the sign ‘No Tresspassing: Private Property’. Inside are the Taclobo Barangay Tanods securing the place. Military in full battle gears from the provincial government were also deployed inside with some municipal policemen who were apprehended by Ex-Mayor Dr. Angeles Chan saying ‘Why are you carrying rifles? Why are you protecting the miners instead of protecting us?’. Good thing was that native policemen were joining the rallyists for serving as securities.

Advocacy intermission numbers which gave more color and strength were the performances of RSC Eco-watch, Michael Rivero of Magdiwang, a Pag-alad Festival street-dancing group from Pili, Yells and Cheers led by Wendy Caleja, song numbers from Ma. Elena marquez and Mindoro’s Dobie Cajayon, and some other presentation from Danao and Cajidiocan youths. Mr. Emmanuel Zulueta served as the emcee.Sharing of food ended the whole event: bananas, boiled rootcrops (camote, balinghoy, et. al) and native dishes were served generously with each other as brothers and sisters.

The mobilization was headed by our Sibuyan Island team Professors Mario Rona, Daisy Ballesteros, Lilian Ruado, Fr. Nestor Gadon and Dr. Art Tansiongco, among others.

It is now clear that the sentiment of the island people is only one: NO TO MINING.

We will not stop.

Sun-Pacific and All-acacia are now doubted as dummies of Pelican Resources. The Small-Scale Mining Permits Nos. 168 and 167 dated May 5, 2006 granted by the provincial government cannot be issued to a foreign company and is now deemed null and void because of Resolution 18 by Taclobo Barangay Council. The Environmental Compliace Certificate No. 4-B-052-RD-2140-2006 dated April 18, 2006 granted by Dir. Ester A. Olivades could not be issued without scoping and social acceptability.

We will never ever permit any mining activity in the island where the world’s densest forest flourishes; the Philippine’s cleanest river flows; and Mt. Guiting-guiting dwells. The ice-age Sibuyan Island, center of endemism and critical plant site — our wealth:

Sibuyan Aton Manggad

Sincerely,

RODNE R. GALICHA

SAM Co-ordinator

Manila, Philippines