Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment

According to Philippine Constitution, it is the state’s prime duty to “protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature” (Art. II, Sec. 16)

However, the Arroyo administration not only failed to conform to this provision but also facilitated the rapid deterioration of the Philippine environment through her projects and policies.

Forestry “We must take back our forests and replenish fallen tress with new, protected forests to protect our land and our people. We must reforest that land and bring back the beauty of the Philippines we all love and want.” -Pres. Arroyo’s speech during a signing of a MOU, Rizal Hall, Malacanang, September 13, 2007

But… Removed log bans and distributed commercial logging permits. Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) 201 grants covering 714,000 hectares Timber Licensing Agreements (TLA) 15 grants covering 691,000 hectares Logging sites are located in our remaining forests and critical watersheds

Forestry Reforested Area from Year Reforested Area (in hectares) 20067, , , , , , , , , ,237 TOTAL294,625

Results = Less forest cover, landslides, increased floods… Example Aurora Landslide in people killed Hundreds injured Images from

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Disasters Risk Management

Mining “Mining is a key driver of our economy and an important sector that is bringing in significant levels of investment, creating jobs for the people and spurring exports…The short answer to continuing the economic growth summed in three words: invest, invest, invest.” 27, January 2007 speech before Dubai business leaders

60 priority large- scale mining projects mostly owned by foreign mining TNCs Only 32 out of hundreds that are allowed have approved Social Development and Management Programs

Mining Mining Revitalization Program  22 to 63 priority mining projects  Lafayette Mining, OceanaGold Mining, Rio Tuba Mining, TVI Mining  As of July 2008, 668,403 hectares of are under mining agreements

Lafayette Mining Inc. Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay Mining flagship project of Arroyo Administration Started commercial operation in May 2005 Boasted of having very high and strict environmental standards and the most modern mining equipments and facilities

October 11, Major mine spill Contaminated several bodies of water Fish kill in Albay Gulf

Three more succeeding fish kills in the next three years Continued operation under the South Koreans in caused massive marine degradation in the area Significant loss of livelihood and food resources Illnesses and diseases

Agriculture Rice crisis in 2008 Continued landlessness and backward agriculture 2002: Only 30% of total farm areas irrigated

Biofuels Act of 2006 Lands will be converted from food production to fuel production Environmentally critical areas such as forests and watershed areas targeted for plantations

Marine Resources and Pollution Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) 0% tariff on hazardous and toxic wastes Large Japanese fishing vessels will be allowed in Philippine waters

Contribution to Climate Change Economic policies on logging, mining, energy and agriculture are making our country more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Economy dependent on fossil fuels 19% of our energy resources come from coal Failure of Arroyo government to develop and harness our indigenous and cheaper renewable energy resources such as geothermal, wind, solar and hydro

Climate Change and Energy

Persecution of Envi Advocates 24 envi activists killed as of March 31, cases of attempted murder 2 cases of enforced disappearances Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) Ex. Libel case vs. Center for Environmental Concerns filed by Lafayette Mining Corp.

Mga panukala ng mga alyado ni GMA sa Cha-cha? HR 1109 – Titipunin ang myembro ng Kongreso bilang con-ass para talakayin ang pang- ekonomyang probisyon na magbubukas pa sa ekonomya sa dayuhang pamumuhunan; may mga pangako pero mananatiling pangako HR 737 – Dayuhang pagmamay- ari ng lupa para akitin ang dayuhang puhunan Iba pa – Parliamentary-federal na tipo ng gobyerno (tinanggal na rin ang balakid sa dayuhang pandarambong sa likas na yaman

“If we reform the Constitution we will have even more investments.” Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo January 27, 2007 Davos, Switzerland

1.Desperadong makapanatili sa poder 2.Pagpapalawig pa ng kapangyarihang pulitikal (i.e. pakikialam sa Bill of Rights) 3.Palitan ang pang-ekonomyang probisyon sa Konstitusyon 4.Tanggalin ang balakid sa pagpasok ng dayuhang tropang militar at armas nukleyar Ilang dahilan kung bakit isinusulong ang charter change?

Palitan ang pang-ekonomyang probisyon sa Konstitusyon ayon sa dikta ng dayuhan Halimbawa ng probisyong gustong baguhin: 1. Naglilimita sa dayuhang pagmamay-ari at kontrol sa sa mga negosyo, estratehikong sektor at industriya sa bansa 2. Pagregularisa sa eksplorasyon, pagpapaunlad at paggamit sa pabansang patrimonya at pagbibigay ng karampatang karapatan, pribelihiyo 3. Pagbibigay ng pagtatangi sa mga Pilipino at pagbibigay diin sa reponsibilidad na protektahan, hikayatin at isulong ang pang-ekonomyang aktibidad ng mga Pilipino 4. Pagbibigay sa estado ng kapangyarihan para igiit ang pambansang pagsasarili, partikular sa mga sumusunod na larangan a. Regulating trade, monopolies, and other economic activity in the public interest and in favor of Filipinos b. Defining treaty-making powers c. Giving the Supreme Court the power to assert the constitution's nationalist provisions

Ilang probisyon ng 1987 Constitution na hadlang sa malayang kalakalan, ayon sa US Art. II Sec. 19 The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos Article XIINational Economy and Patrimony Section 1 Compels the State to protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices Section 2 Limits foreign participation to 40% in the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources Section 7Bans foreign ownership of lands Source: US Trade Representative 2009

con-ass proponents are like rapists – cardinal rosales

In Summary… The Arroyo regime’s economic policies worsened the condition of our already devastated state of our environment Cha-Cha will only worsen the Philippine environmental condition by opening our natural resources to foreign plunder