The 1st article below is posted on a tourism site about Palwan I guess trying to raise the awareness of the risk to the Paradise that I plan to retire to. Note the name of the local contact for the anti mining activists
Gerry Ortega -- a local radio journalist
Paradise ravaged
FROM THE HEART By Gina Lopez
Sunday, July 13, 2008 , Philippine
When I was in Puerto Princesa, amid the lush mangrove surroundings of San Carlos en route to Honda Bay, an official of PNNI, the Palawan Network of NGOs, sat beside me and showed me pictures that made my heart skip a beat. I have never been in favor of mining primarily because all I’ve seen or heard of it has been unfavorable. The advocates for mining can speak all they want but the fact remains that mining towns are among the poorest in the country. The incidents of destructive mining in the country far outnumber anything productive or progressive about it.
In February of this year I was able to witness a meeting of youth, NGOs and concerned citizens against the pervasive mining in Palawan. I was aghast to find out that there are 398 mining applications filed in this gorgeous land. UNESCO has even declared Palawan as a man and biosphere reserve — meaning the organization recognizes Palawan’s importance to the world! Knowing this, how can we possibly even consider or continue to allow the ravaging of this precious ecosystem? It should be noted that most of the mining is happening upland — sometimes at elevations 500 meters high, where there are existing indigenous tribes. This also adds to erosion, which can affect marine life and our coral reefs! I remember an old man who took a stand and complained about mining in his private rice field. Where’s the local consultation here? The priest beside me translated the man’s woes to me.
In March of this year, I signed a MOA with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano to help the department promote tourism in specific sites — initially Bicol, Batangas, El Nido and Puerto Princesa. This contract has been a real blessing because it has led me to experience firsthand, and in an increasingly deep way, the awesomeness of our country. And the decibels do not stop increasing.
It was in this personal space — feeling overwhelmed by the beauty of this land — that the photographs were shown to me. And they struck me; they actually pained me. It was almost physical. I couldn’t even bear to look at the other pictures. At least not in this space.
Back home in Quezon City, in my office, I told Teta, my assistant, “Okay, show me the pictures.” Steeling myself, I flipped the pages. I read the facts and figures attesting to the biodiversity in Palawan. After reading the chart I looked with disbelief at the number and areas of projected mining sites. Somewhere deep inside I seethed; something in me turned and revolted, as often happens to me when things aren’t right. It almost felt like a fire was being lit, fueling indignation. And even when my emotions were settled, there was still the clear perception that this just wasn’t right. It isn’t.
I don’t know the history of the situation, nor am I aware of the technicalities. This piece is not meant to be an exposé or investigative journalism. I just want to talk about principles.
I think of Puerto Princesa, the way the land and the people are blooming. The numbers speak volumes. Because of Mayor Edward Hagedorn’s determination to preserve Puerto Princesa’s natural resources, it is a prime visitor destination. As a result, capital investments in the city have increased from P52 million to P15 billion. Crime is down, people are happy, visitors are happy. And, like I mentioned in my previous column, even the land feels happy. It’s an island in bloom.
I reflect on this — and I look at the pictures, the volumes of data before me — and something here just isn’t right. We are not Singapore. We are not Hong Kong. We are an archipelago of 7,000 spectacular islands. We have the land, the seas, and the people to offer a piece of paradise to visitors. Our people can live in paradise. It is very clear to me that mining in a place like Palawan is not the way to go about it. It isn’t. And no matter what technical information is sent my way — I don’t think I can see these pictures any other way. Mining in a land of spectacular natural resources? It’s like killing the goose that lays the golden egg! If there is poverty, mining is not the solution. History has shown that it only further marginalizes the poor. It is foolhardy to believe that the destruction of one area does not have a domino effect in the inevitable connection there is in the web of life. Just look at the global phenomenon of climate change. It’s one aspect spilling over onto another. The spilling over doesn’t have to be negative — it can also be positive. We can make positive changes, and these can spill over into our quality of life. That’s just the way it is.
I commit the energies and passion of Bantay Kalikasan to let the world know the wonders that exist here. What will we have left to promote if mining destroys the environment?
God gives us bounty. We choose what to do with it. We make our own destiny. What choices will we make for our country? For our future? For our children? For our people?
* * *
I can be reached atregina_lopez@abs-cbn.com. If you wish to help develop the local communities of Puerto Princesa contact Gerry Ortega Bayanijuan, manager for Puerto Princesa. If you wish to know more about the mining in Palawan and what can be done about it, please contact Offie Bernardino, head of PNNI, at (048)433-5525. Or e-mailpnnipal@gmail.com.
the second article is about his recent murder!!!
Ex-provincial exec, 4 others charged over Palawan radioman slay
January 27, 2011
.PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—A former provincial official and four others were charged Wednesday with murder in the killing of broadcast journalist in Palawan.
Police filed the case against former provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias, who owned the gun used in shooting DWAR radio commentator Jerry Ortega inside a clothing store here Monday morning.
Also charged was Marlon Recamata Dichaves, the alleged gunman, who was caught by passing firefighters and bystanders shortly after the killing.
Seratubias surrendered to police after Dichaves pointed at him as the brain behind the gruesome murder.
Dichaves told investigators that he and an accomplice were promised P150,000 to kill Ortega.
Seratubias, who admitted that he owned the gun but sold it days before the killing, denied any involvement in the fatal shooting of Ortega.
Ortega, a former board member who once ran for governor, was a staunch critic of the current provincial administration and of the mining projects in Palawan.
He was an anchor of DWAR’s daily primetime commentary “Ramatak”.
It seems that yet another brave envirionmentalist has been killed and by the time I retire I may need to find another Island
