Overcoming the challenge of El Nino with alternative sources of livelihood

Once again the country will feel the intense heat brought about by the weather phenomenon that is El Nino. Already the local media and government agencies are bracing themselves for the impact in terms of massive losses financially due to lower crop yields. Aside from this the supply of water is also threatened as dams all over the country are sinking to critical levels. El Nino is also expected to negatively affect the country's energy supply compounding the problem with energy shortages that will lead to spoilage of goods, loss of productivity as well as rising blood pressures due to the heat.

Fortunately, there is some light in the horizon if we choose to look optimistically ahead. The mining and extraction industry has always been a steady contributor to our country's economy, considering its modest operations in the grand scheme of things it is a consistent profit center. There are some major players who have invested in the Philippines and in the Filipino; Shell and Sagittarius and to name a few. They have been quietly working to produce energy and harvest minerals that are a boon to the economy nationally and in the regions wherein they operate.

Of course the whole point is that we have alternative industries to compliment the ones which we rely on heavily and give us so much, industries like agriculture, tourism, manufacturing etc. But with the additional challenge of weather phenomena that are increasingly unpredictable and severe, it is prudent to have back-up plans. I urge everyone to continue to be critical yet open minded to the opportunities that will present themselves, let's be open to alternatives not just in terms of more mines and extraction projects but also in terms of alternate sources of energy.

Who know what the future will bring? But in this uncertainty let us remain steadfast because these instances of necessity may lead us to the answers that will provide for the continuation of our lives and lifestyles.

True Stewardship

We are the pinnacle of creation, among all God’s creatures he put is in charge of all the animals and plants and natural resources. To preserve and protect definitely but also to make use of them in a responsible way. Anyone who is using a laptop or PC, cellphone or rides a car in short anyone who enjoys the convenience of a modern life can’t be anti-mining in the strictest sense because our modern way of life depends on mines and the minerals they produce.

It now becomes a question of proper usage of the resources that we have form the most green way of obtaining them in the first place to curbing our lifestyles so that we use only what we need.

I AGREE with the church that we, the whole human family have to control our use of material things, we have to evaluate just how much stuff does one person need? How many gadgets, appliances, clothes, cars and etc. That is the root of this materialism and consumerism which leads to an unchecked harvesting of natural resources. With the threat of global warming we really must be aware of the carbon footprint, that we as individuals and as nations, exert on our planet.

But it does not change the fact that for life to continue as we know it. Resources need to be used, minerals harvested and products made. It is a fact of life. Now what we can control is how to conduct these activities in a manner that is sustainable, responsible and least impactful carbon footprint-wise.

I believe that the Nickel Ore found in the mountains of Mindoro are a gift to the Mangyans, the people of Mindoro and the people of the Philippines. We are blessed in the same way that the Saudi’s were blessed with the gift of oil. Why else would God put it there?

Now as guardians of this gift, it is our responsibility to harvest it in a way that is environmentally sound. Which thanks to advances in TECHNOLOGY is now possible. It is also up to us to be vigilant as to how this mining is done over the next decades and how our politicians will handle the taxes and royalties that will be paid to Mindoro as an effect.

None of this will happen if we don’t want it. It is up to each and every one of us to open our hearts and minds to both sides of this issue. We must be careful in considering the pros and cons, the details of this project. We must keep a watchful eye on Intex and our leaders in how they proceed. We must pray that the Lord guide us in our every step towards this bright future that he is offering us.

The people show their support for Mindoro Nickel Project.

Funny word play! (Antay- Waiting)

We are waiting for the mine.

We will wait for the opening of the mine.

Coming soon!/ Come join us!

Sadaki Mangyans

The plight of the Mangyan

Ang mga Mangyan ay trademark na ng Mindoro, parang ang mga Tamaraw din, ngunit parehong nanganganib. Ang Tamaraw ay malapit ng ma-extinct,ang mga Mangyan nangangambang madadaya ulit.

Wala pa ang mga Kastila nakatira na sa Mindoro ang mga Mangyan, indigineous matagal na panahon ng bahagi ng Mindoro. Ayon sa mga aklat ng mga historian nakatira sila sa may baybay dagat at nakikipag barter sila ng mga likas na yaman sa mga mangangalakal na Intsik. Dumating ang mga Kastila at tulad sa iba pang mga lugar kung saan sila lumanding nakakita nanaman sila ng ginto kung saan nila gusto makakita nito. Kaya Mina de Oro.

Lumipas ang panahon at unti-unti namang dumating ang mga migrante mula sa Vizayas at Luzon, kahit ano ang totoong relihyon nila tinawag na sila ng mga Mangyan na Kristyano. Nakakahiya naman. Dahil kung anu-anong pangloloko ang ginagawa, pinagpapalit para sa mga titulo ng lupa ang pagkain at mga baboy, kaya unti-unting pumasok sa loob ng mga kagubatan ang mga Mangyan, tumungo sa bundok para lang makaiwas sa gulo, dahil ayaw na ayaw ng mga Mangyan ng away. Sa kultura nila ay hindi sila confrontational.

Ngunit sinundan pa rin sila ng mga Kristyano sa bundok, ang ilan para kumuha ng torso mula sa mga kagubatan dito.(At isa pa, dahil puro mina na lang ang pinaguusapan baka nakakalimutan na ang issue ng illegal logging.) Ang iba para sa quarrying, kaya tuloy napagiisip ako kung talagang anti-mining ang mga vocal na anti o anti-Intex lang. Baka kasi hindi nabibigyan dahil hindi daw sila naglalagay.

Ang iba nais tulungan ang mga ito na makilala ang Diyos, mga missionary at wala namang masama doon. Kung piliin naman ng Mangyan ang ganun.

Ang tanong ko lang ay ganito where do you draw the line at interference? When does it become infringing on Indigenous rights? Kasi parang ang nangyayari ay starting now leave them alone.

Kung talagang hinahangad natin ang “self-determination” o ang pag dessisyon para sa sarili di ba dapat pinababayaan natin sila? Nandyan naman ang NCIP para magbigay gabay. Granted hindi lahat sa kanila ay nakapag-aral baka ma take advantage sila. Kaya nga may NCIP at kaya nga may MOA na sinusundan.

Talagang fair si God, sa daming kahirapan na pinagdaanan ng mga Mangyan, mayroon namang ginhawang darating at napakapalad ng Mindoro na ang buong lalawigan, maging ang buong Pilipinas ay makikinabang dito. Sa pamamagitan ng mga buwis na dadagdag sa kaban ng bayan na pondo para sa mga proyektong sosyal, pang kalikasan, pang-infrastructure. Etc.

Parang yung sa tribu ng mga Sheik sa Saudi. Itong mga mayayman na Saudi ang mga prince na mga bilyonaryo, ay yumaman ng dahil sa black gold--langis. Ang mga anak nila ay Harvard educated at ang mga kababayan nila ay umahon kasama nila, dahil sa likas yamang nakabaon sa ilalim ng lupa ng kanilang mga ninunuo. Sana naman di natin pabayaan na ang crab mentatlity ay maka hadlang sa pag asensong parating. Sana pagdasalan natin ang mga Mangyan na magamit ang kanilang grasya sa tamang paraan.