Mining meet for ‘like-minded’ experts only, organizers say

THE first International Conference on Mining in Mindanao held in Davao City last week was only for ”like-minded” environmentalists and anti-mining activists to enable them firm up their position when they clash anew with corporate mines in the halls of Congress this year, organizers said.

They were responding to criticisms that the conference was not fair because it did not afford those with opposite views to speak their minds out.

“[The presence of the pro-mining representatives] was not necessary. We know exactly what they want. They only want to mine,” said Jesuit Fr. Joel Tabora, president of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), the national public advocacy chairman of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP).

CEAP organized the mining conference and was hosted by the AdDU. The corporate mining sector was not invited.

Tabora said the conference was only for environmentalists, anti-mining activists “and other like-minded individuals to avoid an atmosphere of debate” during conference.

Tabora also said CEAP has already taken an anti-mining position which was affirmed by their 1,345 member-schools during their conference last year. He said the position joined the stance of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Report from BusinessMirror