Different groups, anti-mining advocates unite at CatSU Mining Forum
Administration𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔: 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒆 The Public Forum
In a bid to hear public perceptions on
mining in the island province, the Catanduanes State University (CatSU)
organized a public forum on mining held on December 11, 2023, which was
attended by various groups of individuals from different sectors, highlighting
the adverse environmental impact of mining and calling for climate justice.
In his remarks, CatSU President Dr.
Patrick Alain T. Azanza told the attendees that Catandunganons 'must never
mortgage' the future.
"Ang buhay kan masunod na henerasyon
dae ta dapat isangla ta bako ta an," he strongly declared.
"This resounding 'No to mining from
our children, from our future' is heard by no less than those who hold power
than those who do not have the power, and I hope those who hold the power
should be able to not just listen but put into their hearts that Catanduanes is
not for mining," the president added.
Meanwhile, one of the speakers from the
Catanduanes Clean and Green Movement urged everyone to demand climate justice
in the province.
The three presidents of student councils
from Catanduanes Colleges, CatSU, and Christian Polytechnic Institute of
Catanduanes (CPIC) encouraged their fellow youth leaders to stand for the
anti-mining campaign to preserve the pristine beauty of the 'Happy Island's
nature.
"As youth, meron dapat tayong
paninindigan. Pangalagaan natin [ang isla] dahil ito ay regalo lamang ng
Panginoon. Tayo lang naman ang maapektuhan at iilan lamang ang
mabebenipisyuhan," Christal Joy M. Tindugan, CPIC Student Council
president, implored.
Invited resource speakers talked about the
environmental impacts of coal mining via Zoom, and different leaders of
religious groups and sectors provided insightful discussions on mining.
The moderator of the forum was retired
professor Juanita Cervantes who was joined also by the university's students,
employees, and key officials.
