The main theme of the project is bringing the issue to fruition. Since 1997, there are a series of cases and legal action that culminated in granting a writ of kalikasan to the people of Marinduque. But the mining company refuses to take any responsibility. While it is true that a moratorium of 50 years have been given to small, medium and large scale mining operation in the province. Since the December 1993 and march 1996 mine spill disaster that effectively killed two major river systems in Marinduque, Marcopper Mining Corporation was shut down. But since there is not concrete resolution, three complainants sought the writ of kaliksan to make the mining company pay and restore the river systems to its pristine condition. So, in behalf of the province through the social action commission and the Marinduque Council for Environment Concerns, Godofredo Manoy, Eliza Hernandez and Mamerto Lanete has filed a complaint Placer Dome and Barrick Gold which owns majority shares of Marcopper Mining Company. By April 2011, after 15 years since the worst mining disaster in the country, the highest court of the land granted a writ of kalikasan which seeks at least $100 million trust fund to rehabilitated Mogpog and Boac River.
The photo story hopes to be an instrument of continuous advocacy and reminder that people should not forget and make the responsible pay the high costs of environment.
Manang Eliza: Rising from the Spill by Edel Garingan and Elizabeth Mangol
Stories from the Mines...of Struggle, Sisterhood and Solidarity. Alyansa Tigil Mina. October 2012.
On the fateful day of March 24, 1996, Eliza M. Hernandez, who was then 54 years old was on the stretches of the beautiful Boac river, doing her laundry. She sat on her usual spot in the river and began soaking her hands in the water. After a few minutes, something went wrong and undescribable foul smell filled the air, then fishes and shrimps surfaced... her the Boac river had died.
The impact of Marcopper mining tragedy to the residents seemed endless. Many people experienced and suffered some serious dermal diseases including Manang Eliza. She had aplastic anemia with high lead level in her blood. This condition sometimes gave her weak feelings. In 2011 Eliza was one of the petitioners of the Writ of Kalikasan. That sought the issuance of an environmental protection order for Marinduque and nearby provinces. It was filed to compel the mining company to be accountable for the destruction it caused to the environment and people of Marinduque.
And although it seems impossible, she wants to see again the natural beauty of Boac river, where she used to wash clothes to earn a living. Elizabeth Mangol is mining and environmental officer of MaCEC.
Stories from the Mines...of Struggle, Sisterhood and Solidarity. Alyansa Tigil Mina. October 2012.
On the fateful day of March 24, 1996, Eliza M. Hernandez, who was then 54 years old was on the stretches of the beautiful Boac river, doing her laundry. She sat on her usual spot in the river and began soaking her hands in the water. After a few minutes, something went wrong and undescribable foul smell filled the air, then fishes and shrimps surfaced... her the Boac river had died.
The impact of Marcopper mining tragedy to the residents seemed endless. Many people experienced and suffered some serious dermal diseases including Manang Eliza. She had aplastic anemia with high lead level in her blood. This condition sometimes gave her weak feelings. In 2011 Eliza was one of the petitioners of the Writ of Kalikasan. That sought the issuance of an environmental protection order for Marinduque and nearby provinces. It was filed to compel the mining company to be accountable for the destruction it caused to the environment and people of Marinduque.
And although it seems impossible, she wants to see again the natural beauty of Boac river, where she used to wash clothes to earn a living. Elizabeth Mangol is mining and environmental officer of MaCEC.
Case learning 2 writ of kalikasan.
Ako po si Godofredo Manoy, tagarito sa Barangay Bocboc. Ako po ay isa sa mga pioneer member ng MaCEC at isa sa mga naging biktima ng pagkawasak ng Maguila-guila dam ng Marcopper noong 1993. Walang pag-amin sa mga naging kapinsalaan ang kompanya kaya’t hindi rin nila mapapanagutan ang lahat ng naging pinsala sa bayan ng Bocboc, Mogpog. Lumipas ang 18 taon na hindi napanagot ang Marcopper sa kanilang obligasyon. Maging ang mga kasong naisampa laban sa kanila ay hindi man lamang umusad. Kayat ng magkaroon ng opurtunidad na makapaghain ng kaso sa pamamagitan ng writ of kaliaksan ay hindi ako nagdalawang isip na maging sa isa sa mga petitioners.
Kasama kong nagfile bilang mga petitioner sina Eliza Hernandez, isang labandera mula sa Brgy. Balimbing, Boac at si Mamerto Lanete na isa namang mangingisda mula sa Brgy. Lupac, Boac.
Ang writ of kalikasan ay isang bago at espesyal na remedyo na pinalabas ng supreme court upang maproteksyunan ang kapaligiran. Nilalayon nito na magkaroon ng isang ganap na rehabilitasyon ang mga nasirang kapaligiran ng lalawigan bunga ng pagmimina upang magkaroon ng pagkakataong maibalik ito sa dating anyo. Hindi lamang Marinduque ang magbebenipisyo dito maging ang kalapit na lalawigan tulad ng Mindoro at Romblon na apketado pa rin ng patuloy na pagkalat ng basurang mina ng Marcopper sa Tablas Strait.
Ako po si Godofredo Manoy, tagarito sa Barangay Bocboc. Ako po ay isa sa mga pioneer member ng MaCEC at isa sa mga naging biktima ng pagkawasak ng Maguila-guila dam ng Marcopper noong 1993. Walang pag-amin sa mga naging kapinsalaan ang kompanya kaya’t hindi rin nila mapapanagutan ang lahat ng naging pinsala sa bayan ng Bocboc, Mogpog. Lumipas ang 18 taon na hindi napanagot ang Marcopper sa kanilang obligasyon. Maging ang mga kasong naisampa laban sa kanila ay hindi man lamang umusad. Kayat ng magkaroon ng opurtunidad na makapaghain ng kaso sa pamamagitan ng writ of kaliaksan ay hindi ako nagdalawang isip na maging sa isa sa mga petitioners.
Kasama kong nagfile bilang mga petitioner sina Eliza Hernandez, isang labandera mula sa Brgy. Balimbing, Boac at si Mamerto Lanete na isa namang mangingisda mula sa Brgy. Lupac, Boac.
Ang writ of kalikasan ay isang bago at espesyal na remedyo na pinalabas ng supreme court upang maproteksyunan ang kapaligiran. Nilalayon nito na magkaroon ng isang ganap na rehabilitasyon ang mga nasirang kapaligiran ng lalawigan bunga ng pagmimina upang magkaroon ng pagkakataong maibalik ito sa dating anyo. Hindi lamang Marinduque ang magbebenipisyo dito maging ang kalapit na lalawigan tulad ng Mindoro at Romblon na apketado pa rin ng patuloy na pagkalat ng basurang mina ng Marcopper sa Tablas Strait.
Judicial Affidavit of Mr. Mamerto M. Lanete
April 28, 2011/ CA Case No. SP-000001
q. how will you describe the present state of the mountains of Marinduque?
a. the mountains which Marcopper exploited now have less trees and are covered with mine tailings. It is now every uncommon to see mountain animals previously seen in the are. Residents also constantly fear the piled tailings will collapse at anytime.
q. how about the boac river how will you describe its present state?
a. the tailings on silt have settled on the riverbed and the color of the water has turned to light green. However, whenever the flow of the current is strong or whenever it rains, the settled silt is disturbed and mixes with the water flowing out to the sea.
The water in the river still murky and the bottom cannot be seen. The riverbed has been elevated and the depth of the river at present is at most 3 feet. The opening of the river is almost closed off because of the accumulation of mine tailings. The air surrounding the river is dese and with tailing powder.
q. do you fear that a tragedy similar to the 1996 spill will happen again.
a. yes. In 2006, Marinduque was damaged by the typhoon Reming. Floodwater reached a depth of 3 feet and left more than a foot of mud. The flood settled only after 2 days. I fear that a much worse occurrence might happen if the province is visited by another typhoon. The tailings that have accumulate din the mountains are loose and easily carried away by water. There is a big possibility that the rain water will carry the tailings down to Boac, neighbouring areas and coastal waters.
April 28, 2011/ CA Case No. SP-000001
q. how will you describe the present state of the mountains of Marinduque?
a. the mountains which Marcopper exploited now have less trees and are covered with mine tailings. It is now every uncommon to see mountain animals previously seen in the are. Residents also constantly fear the piled tailings will collapse at anytime.
q. how about the boac river how will you describe its present state?
a. the tailings on silt have settled on the riverbed and the color of the water has turned to light green. However, whenever the flow of the current is strong or whenever it rains, the settled silt is disturbed and mixes with the water flowing out to the sea.
The water in the river still murky and the bottom cannot be seen. The riverbed has been elevated and the depth of the river at present is at most 3 feet. The opening of the river is almost closed off because of the accumulation of mine tailings. The air surrounding the river is dese and with tailing powder.
q. do you fear that a tragedy similar to the 1996 spill will happen again.
a. yes. In 2006, Marinduque was damaged by the typhoon Reming. Floodwater reached a depth of 3 feet and left more than a foot of mud. The flood settled only after 2 days. I fear that a much worse occurrence might happen if the province is visited by another typhoon. The tailings that have accumulate din the mountains are loose and easily carried away by water. There is a big possibility that the rain water will carry the tailings down to Boac, neighbouring areas and coastal waters.