Mining in the Philippines - Concerns and Conflicts

Table of Contents
Foreword................................................................................................................................................................ i
Acronyms and Abbreviations............................................................................................................................ ii
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................... iii
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................................1
2. Trip Overview...............................................................................................................................................3
3. Areas of Concern ..........................................................................................................................................8
3.1. Human Rights......................................................................................................................................8
3.1.1. Security firms and militarization..................................................................................................8
3.2. Corruption............................................................................................................................................9
3.3. Pressure on the judiciary..................................................................................................................10
3.4. Environmental concerns...................................................................................................................10
3.4.1. Legislation......................................................................................................................................12
3.4.2. Environmental Social Impact Assessments & Strategic Environmental Assessments .......12
3.5. Indigenous peoples and Free, Prior, Informed, Consent.............................................................12
3.5.1. Lack of independent monitoring & expertise provision & the NCIP....................................14
3.5.2. Weaknesses in the Law ................................................................................................................14
3.6. The Philippines Local Government Code......................................................................................15
3.7. Health impacts...................................................................................................................................15
3.8. Militarized commerce.......................................................................................................................16
3.9. Economic model ................................................................................................................................17
3.9.1. Alternative economic and sustainable development models.................................................18
4. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................20
5. Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................23
Appendix 1. Itinerary.........................................................................................................................................29
Appendix 2. Case Studies..................................................................................................................................31
Appendix 3. Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Stance ........................................................36
Appendix 4. Investment risks ...........................................................................................................................38
Appendix 5. The Threat to Indigenous Rights and Environment by Mining............................................41
Appendix 6. Petition against TVI exploration permit in Midsalip..............................................................44
Appendix 7: Photos of Fact Finding Team Mission.......................................................................................48
Appendix 8: Mining Impacts at Mt Canatuan................................................................................................50
Appendix 9: Scale of Planned Mineral Opportunities presented to Investors ..........................................51
Appendix 10: Maps of Marine and Terrestrial Conservation Priorities .....................................................52
Appendix 11 Gross Value Added in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry .................................................53
Appendix 12: Concentration of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines.....................................................54
Endnotes ..............................................................................................................................................................55
List of Boxes
Extrajudicial killings 8
Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative 9
Food and Water Security 11
Philippine obligations under International Law 15
Peace agreements 16
Small-scale miners 19