Good Omen

I woke up early today. That was a lucky stroke because I was able to see the sunrise from my bathroom. I rushed out with my camera to take a video and pictures. What else could start a person's day in a good light (no pun intended?) Living by the Pacific Ocean, one might think that one sees the sunrise everyday. That is not the case. Huge clouds are always in the horizon, covering the sunrise and also the moonrise. They are a rare occurrence to see and so today, seeing the sun rise I think, is a good omen.

CBFI (CarCanMadCarLan Baywatch) is being interviewed on radio by Atty. Gerry Maglinte on his show, 'Ang Atong Dagat, Atong Kinabuhi.' The subject of the interview is the MGB's meeting on March 26, 2008 at the Oasis Beach Resort in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region XIII is organizing the Mine Rehabilitation Fund for Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation and signing of the memorandum of Agreement (MOA); and the Multipartite Monitoring Team for the company.

CBFI finds this violative of the Philippine Mining Act since the organization of the rehabilitation fund and monitoring team presupposes that the mining company is already in the Development Stage of their mining operation.

MMDC's Exploration is under suspension by the DENR Secretary, Lito Atienza and we haven't received information that it has been lifted. MMDC still needs two endorsements from three LGUs: Province, Town and Baranggay. As you may know, Cantilan LGU is vehemently against this mining operation in Cantilan because it is detrimental to its rice production. Impacted will be the area's more than 3,000 farmers.

The province has also written MMDC's Vice President that it is not endorsing their operation because they support the farmers, Baywatch, the LGUs of Cantilan, Carrascal and Madrid in their petition to the DENR for cancellation of MMDC's MPSA. Mayor Tomasa Guardo and the Sanggunian Bayan are not endorsing their operation either. Their only hope is an endorsement from one of the Baranggay's. But that is one of three.

Let's hope the mining company's people are listening to the broadcast and will relay the message to its officials. WE DO NOT WANT YOU IN CANTILAN!