Tribal leaders buck planned mining ban

MANILA, Philippines - Tribal leaders have come out to oppose a plan by the South Cotabato provincial government to ban mining in the province. Speaking before a Kastifun, South Cotabato tribal councils and those from Columbio, Sultan Kudarat expressed deep concern over the proposed measure which they said could imperil their last chance to develop their communities. Kastifun is a T’boli term for a formal gathering of leaders.

Datu Ben Dalimbang, vice chairman of the South Cotabato provincial tribal council, said the Kastifun was called to formally gather the collective sentiment of every tribal leader in the province on a proposed environmental ordinance which is “seen to block the aspirations of their people.”

Likely to be affected by the proposed ban is the planned operation of Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) which tribal leaders are looking forward to as an opportunity for them to realize their dreams for a better life.

“This is our last chance,” said Bai Dalina Samling, tribal chieftain of Danlag, Tampakan, who rejected warnings of environmental destruction once SMI starts its mining operations.

“What environmental destruction? Our place has already been denuded years ago by loggers and no reforestation effort became successful because kaingin (slash and burn) farming is the way of life of our people,” Samling said.

She said they believe that SMI is a responsible company that is equipped with the necessary tools to take care of the environmental, unlike small-scale miners who are known for their destructive methods.