‘South Cotabato tribal folk won’t be fence sitters in mine project’

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines – The chieftain of the Blaan tribal community in Danlag, Tampakan town this province has given assurance that tribal communities will not be “fence sitters” but will play an active role in decision-making on the proposed Tampakan mine project.

“We will not allow ourselves to be ignored when we finally decide on how to proceed with the Tampakan mining project,” said Blaan chieftain Bae Dalena Samling.

The main deposit of the Tampakan copper-gold mining project is in Danlag, a tribal community in Tampakan town that will host the open-pit facility of the mining project and is set to enjoy royalty shares from the proceeds of the proposed mining operation.

“We are happy with this opportunity (and) this investment, but we will also protect our tribal community from possible social and environmental impact,” Samling said.