STOP the ongoing mining operation of MarcVentures Mining Development Corporation in Barangays Lobo and Cabangahan of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur

This is a PETITION against the ongoing mining operation of MarcVentures Mining Development Corporation in Barangays Lobo and Cabangahan along the border of Cantilan and Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.

WHEREAS, The mountains located in Brgy.Cabangahan and Lobo are currently being considered for a possible open pit mines by the MMDC that covers 4,799 hectares and is covered under the mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) and MMDC also got this ECC(Environmental Clearance Certificatewhich is not a permit; and

WHEREAS, this property is located within and adjacent to the declared portions of the public domain of "Alamio, Buyaan, Carac-an, Panikian Rivers and Sipangpang Falls, in the municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan and Madrid, Surigao del Sur and in the municipalities of Jabonga, Santiago, and Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, as watershed forest reserves" under the Presidential Proclamation (PP) 1747 signed by former President Arroyo On March 23; and

WHEREAS, the said watershed area serves as the basin for the existing irrigation systems and irrigated farmlands for CarCanMadCarLan's farming community, which has been there since the 1970s are threatened to be dried up because of mining operations in the watersheds; and

WHEREAS, the Alamio, Buyaan, Carac-an, Panikian Rivers were threatened to be polluted where this rivers flow directly to the Carrascal and Lanuza bay where almost half of this is protected as a fish sanctuary ; and

WHEREAS, the lands being considered for mining are prime wildlife habitat, home to abundant game and non-game species such as deer, javelina(wild pig), bats, mountain lion, monkeys, quail, hawks, eagles, and songbirds; and

WHEREAS, this area is an important wildlife corridor; and

WHEREAS, a mine is not compatible with recreational uses where eco-tourism in this place is highly potential, natural values, and wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, nickel mining in this area and elsewhere has historically been associated with air and water pollution (both surface and sub-surface); and

WHEREAS, mining on these lands will preclude future uses of these lands for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, the economic benefit of mining in this area does not outweigh the local citizens concern of the negative impacts to the watershed reserve in this area that lands for a broad range of ecosystem health; and

WHEREAS, the public interest of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza will thus, in sum, not be furthered by mining activities in this area.

NOW, THEREFORE, we the undersigned do hereby
1. Strongly oppose any mining activities in the Cabangahan and Lobo Mountains, The watershed forest reserves under the Presidential Proclamation (PP) 1747.
2. Urge the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources)to reject any Mining Plan of Operations submitted by the companies in question for mining in these areas based on the issues described above.
3. Urge the Local Officials of the said five towns to withdraw permanently from mineral exploration and extraction of all lands within the Protected watershed area of CCMCL.
4. Urge the Local Officials of the Municipality of Cantilan to withdraw their support from giving local permit to the said company the MMDC and to stand firm that Cantilan will continue to say NO TO MINING.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned