Help the people of Midsalip, Philippines, defend their sacred land

A critical situation is developing in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. A local mining company, Geotechniques and Mining, has begun deploying drilling equipment in the critical watershed area of Mt Sugarloaf in the Diocese of Pagadian.­

The area, which also comprises the Archdiocese of Qzamiz, is a designated Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 155) and a conservation priority area, and should therefore be exempt from exploration or mining programs. The area was also the beneficiary of a World Bank/ADB funded (SECAL-ENR) reforestation project.­

Catholic parishioners, farmers, Subaanen indigenous people and students have been holding a peaceful picket protest to deter the operation of drilling equipment since October 2010. We understand they have faced harassment.

What you can do:

• Read the Midsalip update and action guide (pdf) and letters to Philippine President Benigno Aquino from Working Group on Mining in the Philippines members the Society of St Columban (pdf) and Clive Wicks (pdf) of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic & Social Policy.
• Send letters and emails in support to President Benigno Aquino and others as suggested in the update and action guide (pdf).
• Use this action card (pdf): print it double-sided on A4 card, cut into four postcards (offer the spares to others), sign and insert your address/affiliation on one card, add postage and send.
• Let ECCR know what action you take and of any replies you receive.