Can someone define MINING to a common Pidjanga?

The tri-partite partnership among China, Vietnam, and the Philippines to conduct "pre-exploration" research in the Spratley Islands is tagged as the "mother of all ZTE deals". Drilon says it is a precondition to China's multi-billion dollar loan assistance to the Philippines. (Read more the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The government, as explained by DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales, says it has not violated the constitution because it is just a "pre-exploration" activity.

Pidjangas, ajaw na paglajo... tan-awon ta an ato bongsyan...

There are "mining claims" in Mainit and these are just snapshots of the massive mining activities in the entire province of Surigao. Fortunately, we have "active" groups who risked their lives in ensuring that NO ACTIVITY will do harm to our people and to our environment. The Pidjanga Blogger supports this cause! And as an effect the few "protests" of these groups... the mining firms were complelled to respond and say... "WE ARE NOT CONDUCTING ANY MINING, WE ARE JUST DOING EXPLORATION".

Now... environmentalists, mining engineers, lawyers... can you please help us know...
What is pre-exploration? If it is conducting research, one has to "explore" to a some degree, isn't it? Kay uman, imo ra tutukan an lupa, hibay-an mo na dajon na jaoy buyawan? Uman tala?

What is exploration? How is this different from mining? A firm can bulldoze the entire mountains of our Barangay Tagbuyawan under a legally approved "exploration" permit. Ini an permi lusot nan mga tampalasan... nag-explore ra kuno sila, an badja garhab na an entiro bukid. Nan simay tag-tonto nila?
What is mining? Mining is never sustainable and our laws and policies are flawed to be able to effect and ensure responsible mining. And with the reality of corrupt officials in the Philippines, mining can be done in the guise of several "deals" like "pre-exploration and exploration" permits. Taghimo ra kita nan bungoy!

If you don't think there is no serious environmental problem today, or if you do but not really convinced that as individual you can do something... you have just wasted your time reading this! But if you believe you can make a difference, click here.

Someone predicted that in 100 years time, there will be NO SEAFOODS if we will not accelerate our response to mitigate climate change NOW. Taking this very seriously, I am now taking photos of every seafood I order, hopefully, to preserve these memories for my grandchildren... in case these happens.

Here are some of my posts related to mining in Mainit... here, here, and here.

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Mar 8, 2008

2011 LGU Accomplishments - Mainit, Surigao del Norte

Click Photos to Enlarge.

Photos: Zimmbodilion Mosende, August 2012

Mainit LGU Website (2010)

In cooperation with the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA), the Local Government Unit of Mainit has launched an LGU website at www.mainitsurigao.wordpress.com.

Thanks Manoy Onyot (kaiser), Johny, and the rest of your team for realizing this long awaited ONLINE PRESENCE of our town's officials, achievements, accomplishments, people, features, and lot more!

KUDOS too to Mayor Ramon Mondano and his team for finally exerting the final effort to push realization of the website project!

I encourage every Pidjanga reader to visit the Mainit website particularly the beautiful photos of Lake Mainit and the new Kasili Lakeside Resort.

By August 2010, the Pidjanga blog will be 5 years old. I think by then, both LMDA and the Mainit website will be fully featuring what I have been posting here. I've already thought of "retiring" last year, so I think by mid-2010, that will be realized. Let's see.

Once again, kudos and this is a very good new years gift to all Mainitnons and Pidjangas.

Mabuhay!

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Dec 30, 2010

Accomplishments of LGU Elected Officials

On 24 May 2007, the COMELEC announced the winners of the elections in Mainit (read post here). In that post I wished "May your team bring true and lasting development to our town. We trust that you will do what you have said and promised to the Mainitnons."

Now, I realized 2010 elections is just around the corner... IN FACT, it is JUST 13 months away from today!

Let's see what I HAVE HEARD about the accomplishments of "our officials" to date.

Mayor RAMON BELTRAN MONDANO - READ 2008 STATE of MUNICIPALITY REPORT (here).

Vice Mayor JESSNAR CEDRO MOSENDE - Texted me he has 2008 Annual Legislative Agenda Report, but I NEVER SAW it.

Sanguniang Bayan
1. AL RODIN CRISOLOGO BEHAGAN - NONE, although he texted me about some accomplishments on youth organizing.
2. ROXIE SY SALINO - NONE
3. CAYETANO LAREZA RECABO - NONE
4. RONNIE NAVIDAS MOSENDE - NONE
5. NELSON RECABO REYES - NONE
6. ELADIO BADILLA ENDICO JR. - NONE
7. FELY MANTEZA ODTOJAN - NONE
8. ARTURO MOSENDE MOSOTE - NONE

How about you? Have you heard anything about what they have done about their promises? Lang-a sab kami kay hapit na an election... kasipog isab na way agi! If you have something to share... hit the CBOX or the comments section. If you want a more personal sharing email or text me (see below).


On 4th January 2008, I posted about Citizens' Watch (read here). I think it is still relevant so I am reposting it here:

It is very striking to me that even elected officials also feel helpless on certain LGU project implementations.

Such is the case of Davao City Councilor Peter Lavina, expressing his disappointments to the constructors of the Davao Bangkerohan Bridge and its project monitors - the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He sought help from the Davao citizenry and created a Citizens' Watch blog - www.bankerohanbridge.blogspot.com.

I just realized that Pidjangas can be very loud in demanding implementation of certain development projects in our town and will feel these advocacies fall on deaf ears... when in fact, our beloved officials, also felt helpless about them because of so many reasons... least priority by or no support from the higher ups (province, Malacanang, etc), just too expensive, too much politicking, etc.

If those feelings and thoughts are JUST SHARED to the citizenry... if those constraints, plans, and hopes are MADE KNOWN to the people... we will understand...

We will even make a more active citizens' watch...

We will even help in making things move...

Let the people participate, let the people get engaged, let the people lead!

Participatory Governance is People Empowerment! Make that happen in Mainit!

Now more specifically... what has happened and what the people can do about...
1. The Mapaso Hot Spring project?
2. The Mainit Public Market project?
3. The discussions on the Annual Flooding of Lake Mainit?
4. The Tapian-Tagbuyawan-San Francisco mining issues?
5. New development projects of the town?

It's been more than six months (now actually their term is ending!!!) since the municipal elections, and yet, we have not heard anything!

Mayor Ramon, Vice Mayor Banoy, Councilor Nonong and team... HAPPY NEW YEAR! What are you getting busy at?

Apr 2, 2009 

The Local Candidates - MAINIT, Surigao del Norte

Padajon Surigao Party
For Mayor: Mondano, Ramon (Brgy. Roxas)
For Vice Mayor: Paniamogan, Elmer T. (Brgy. Paco)
For Councilor:
1. Recabo, Cayetano (Brgy. Quezon)
2. Odtojan, Daday (Brgy. Matin-ao)
3. Paniamogan-Busa, Dolly (Brgy. Magsaysay)
4. Behagan, Nonong (Brgy. Magsaysay)
5. Reyes, Nelson R. (Brgy. Quezon)
6. Salino, Vicente M. (Brgy. Quezon)
7. Salino, Roxie S. (Brgy. Quezon)
8. Mosote, Arturo M. (Brgy. Quezon)

Lakas-CMD Party
For Mayor: Gatpolintan, Roger M. (Brgy. Quezon)
For Vice Mayor: Mosende, Jessnar C. (Brgy. Quezon)
For Councilor :
1. Basiga, Lucila F. (Brgy. Tolingon)
2. Basmayor, Raul P. (Brgy. Mabini)
3. Diamola, Ale A. (Brgy. Quezon)
4. Endico, Eladio Jr. B. (Brgy. Bobonoaon)
5. Mosende, Ronnie N. (Brgy. Quezon)
6. Paloma, Joan Christine R. (Brgy. Quezon)
7. Urquia, Anthony P. (Brgy. Matin-ao)
8. Villapane, Ceasar R. (Brgy. Quezon)

Pidjanga Notes: Hinaut pa unta ila mahipahibayo sa katawhan an ila plataporma del gobyerno dakan maradjaw an ila pagpili na sumusunod na opisyales nan Mainit. If you want to send in your messages for the candidates email me or text 0917-800-4557.

By the way, it seems that the top five councilors (click here) of the Pidjanga mock election held last month indeed joined the race this year. The tandems for mayoralty and vice-mayoralty race also did turn out to be the official tandems for the election.

I just wish that the top five ISSUES raised by the Pidjanga readers would be also be the main issues to to be raised and supported by these candidates.

(Top Issues to Address: 1. Livelihood / Employment for Mainitnon; 2. Tourism; 3. Completion of Public Market; 4. Concreting of Roads; 5. Peace and Order)

Apr 1, 2007