An Inspiration: The David’s in Cantilan

Entering into another field of internship for this summer has been one of the most intriguing and quite exciting decisions I have ever made. I tried to do something fun, informative and of help to my fellow Mindanawan communities. I had hesitations at first since it involves a lot of traveling to different unknown territories but after the AMMB Consultation we had in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, I thought that the risk I took was in every inch worth it. To have marvelled at the sight of vast areas of mountains, rice fields, fisheries and to feast my eyes on one of the best sunset as well as sunrise that I only get to see in a painting canvass are now in front of me. 

To have experienced these things in a short span of time were all new to me since I am a certified urban girl. However, what seemed to be a sore to the eyes was the fact that some of Cantilan’s mountains were stripped off as apparent from afar and were all brought down by big dump tracks and backhoes. Such site to me seemed like a mountain raped and exploited by foreign mining industries without showing no economic progress at all in the said place but instead heightened the plight on pollution, soil erosion and the change of geographical terrain which totally affected the livelihood of both the farmers and fishermen folks.

Having gone there without any expectations in my mind as implanted to us by Atty. Normi Batula before we were respectively designated to each of our NGO’s, has indeed truly made the trip more exciting. Although given the fact that I had this exposure for the very first time, still, I already had thoughts about what might happen to us during the immersion. Right after ADMU’s HR wrapped up the discussions we all shall need for the upcoming trips and meet ups with the concerned parties regarding the mining issues here in Mindanao, I had already formulated an idea of what our roles will be.

Fortunately we had a great start, had a safe trip, met lots of great people, visited some of the best spots in Cantilan, ate some of their great delicacies and interacted to some of the community people who were directly affected of the dire effects of mining in Surigao del Sur particularly in Ayoke Island.

I am beyond grateful to the Almighty to have been given this chance to be exposed and to experience first-hand the real mining situation in Cantilan by means of visiting the said place and to have interviewed the stakeholders which served as the highlight of this rare opportunity and to have mingled with them personally. We even participated in a fun run initiated by the Church and other local units in Cantilan.

The fun run was coined “Save Our Surigao: Dagan Para sa Kinaiyahan” and it was my first time to have run a 5K route.  Well, actually we just had brisk walking because we can’t take much of the scorching heat of the sun. Not only was it a means to celebrate earth day but that it was a way for us to show support against mining activities in Cantilan. I thought for myself that although AMMB is not entirely against mining but that it only tries to regulate the entire process so as not to jeopardize the future generations. After all, the earth is ephemeral and we all dreamed of having sustainable development which is for me, personally what AMMB is aiming at. 

To have heard Sir Erwin’s discussion on AMMB for the very first time was enlightening. I am proud to have helped facilitated this cause to fight against mining. Connecting with different sectors just to have more exposure to show contradiction to mining is a brave thing for these local units to participate into.

Based on my little exposure of mining in some parts of Mindanao, I believe, in order to achieve the pristine concept of sustainable development, it must have the important element of responsible action that supports the present needs and that of the future legacy of the Philippines. Thus, amongst a pool of hard-working NGO’s in the Philippines, people from Cantilan should be grateful for LRC’s efforts to help them protect their lands and achieve a more sustainable environment in the present and for the future generations yet to be born.

Truly, the role of ALG as the David to fight against Goliath’s, a.k.a. the big foreign mining companies residing within the country, is such an inspiration for law students like me. The likes of Sir Cocoi, Ma’am Normi, Ma’am Mally, Sir Ritz, Ma’am Joan & the others, have truly opened my eyes to the sad reality of what is happening to our fellow Mindanawon neighbors. They, along with the other law advocates and administrators of justice have made me realized what I want in life and what I want to see myself years from now. It’s going to be one heck of a challenge but these experiences I’ve had fuelled my passion to do well in school and God-willing be able to help out our IP brothers and sisters. The kind of help that is genuine and voluntary. I want to be like my Sensei’s. I want to help.

Just like the sun that beautifully rises and sets in Cantilan which brings new hope to the people who are still in struggle to fight against mining, we, the interns are the ones that shall soon be there to fight for the rights of those who are extremely oppressed and are politically marginalized. Whatever tomorrow brings, if God permits that we too shall become lawyers soon then we will eventually come back and shall soon fight the good fight. Whether we be lawyers or law advocates, we shall meet once again, Cantilan.