DEFENDING THE DIGNITY OF LIFE, SECURING OUR FUTURE:
REPEAL RA 7942, ENACT THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT BILL, MORATORIUM ON LARGE-SCALE MINING!
APPROVED BY THE ASSEMBLY DURING THE 2012
International Conference on Mining in Mindanao, January 26 & 27, 2012 at the Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City (Abridged).
AWARE of the current state of the mining industry in the Philippines driven by corporate greed and the existing policy framework promoted by the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and inherited by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III,
AWARE that harsh effects of mining on water systems, biodiversity, air, land and island ecosystems lead to environmental destructions and disasters aggravating the impacts of hydro-meteorological hazards and threatening agriculture and food security,
AWARE that the contributions of mining and quarrying in the Gross Domestic Product of the country, averaged over the years 2000 to 2009, is only 0.9%,
It is SALIGAN’s view that H.B. 2145 (AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8368, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “ANTI-SQUATTING LAW REPEAL ACT OF 1997”) seeks to underhandedly amend the definition of professional squatters in Republic Act No. 7279 (UDHA) and does not answer the problem of grinding urban poverty, which is the main reason that people resort to squatting in urban areas. As such, SALIGAN does not favor the enactment of said bill, to wit:
ISALIGAN humbly maintains that H.B. 2145 is unconstitutional for being violative of the Social Justice provision of the 1987 Constitution, and blatantly disregards the existing laws on Ejectment
H.B. 2145 forgets the Social Justice provision in the Constitution, which limits and defines a person’s right to private ownership. While seemingly an amendment of RA 8368, it is really RA 7279 that H.B. 2145 seeks to revise by trying to expand the definition of “professional squatters.” As can be seen in its wording, what the bill is trying to punish as a “professional squatter” is practically anyone who falls under the ejectment provisions of the Rules of Court.
A STATEMENT ON THE VIOLENT DEMOLITION IN LAPERAL COMPOUND, MAKATI CITY
As an advocate of inclusive, transformative and sustainable urbanization, the Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA) denounces the violent dispersal of residents and demolition of residences at the Laperal compound in Makati City last week. There is absolutely no justification to hurt persons who had lost their houses to fire and have yet to find a new place to call home.
We particularly object to Makati Mayor Jun Jun Binay’s unreasonable refusal to talk to affected people in the community to resolve the crisis, including agreeing to a peaceful and orderly transfer of people from Laperal compound. In the same breath, we laud DILG Secretary Robredo’s openness to dialogue with the community leaders, to listen to their needs and agree on the way ahead.
Government, in dealing with its constituents, must show a preference for Talk instead of Tear Gas, Dialogue – instead of Imposition. Not only does the law (RA 7279) say as much, but common sense and decency demand it as well.
Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA) 3/F Hoffner Building, Social Development Center, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City 29 April 2011
