Subanons share ideas, concerns on Sulphide Project
Inaulang Inampot Elian, an 80-year old Subanon woman, walked two kilometers from her home to the Siocon National High School (SNHS) Canatuan Annex to attend an assembly called by the Siocon Subanon Association, Inc. (SSAI). She is the wife of Subanon Council of Elders member Limbalan Elian, who was too sick to participate in the gathering of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders in Canatuan.
(Above) Inaulang Inampot Elian was an early bird in the CADT Assembly: “This gathering shows that TVI cares to know what we feel and need.” (Below) The Canatuan ancestral domain title holders inspect a sample of copper concentrates shown to them by a CReDO representative. Inampot is the elderly woman with white head scarf.
She was one of the roughly 400 CADT beneficiaries from the mountainous eastern portion of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines who converged on Canatuan to take part in the discussions about, and orientation on, the second phase of operations of TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) in their homeland.
“Nianhi ko para motambong sa tigum para makahibalo sa plano sa kompaniya. Nagdaut man si Limbalan mao ako ra ang ni-abot (I came here to attend the meeting so I would know about the company’s plans. Limbalan is sick so it’s only me who came),” Inaulang, Subanon for grandmother, said in soft, halting Visayan.
Beginning mid-2004, TVIRD produced gold and silver, the first phase of operations within the Subanon ancestral domain. Last April, the company ended its Gossan (gold-silver) Project to pave the way for its Sulphide (copper-zinc) Project, which is expected to commence late this year.
(Top) Feliece Yeban, TVIRD Vice President for Social Commitments stresses a point as (middle) the company’s Subanon hosts listen intently. After company representatives addressed important concerns that were raised during the meeting, many of those who were initially undecided realized the advantages of the project. (Bottom) A welcome streamer for TVIRD’s gracious hosts.
TVIRD sought the assistance of SSAI – the legal representative of the CADT holders – in gathering the assembly for four reasons: (1) to orient the beneficiaries on the details of the Sulphide Project; (2) to familiarize the beneficiaries on the particulars of the Mine Closure and Rehabilitation Plan; (3) to administer the Perception Survey required by the government Mines and Geosciences Bureau; and (4) to get the beneficiaries suggested projects for inclusion in the next TVIRD Social Development and Management Plan (SDMP). The SDMP, currently being drafted for another five-year implementation period, will serve as the company’s guidebook as it continues to support the welfare of the people in its immediate and secondary affected communities. Moreover, the SDMP document will provide the framework for the programs and projects the company will continue to undertake for its host and impact communities in the areas of livelihood, basic services, health and environmental safety, socio-economic enhancement and sustainability during and beyond the mine life.
(Above) The CADT holders participate in the Perception Survey, a requirement of the government Mines and Geosciences Bureau before TVIRD can proceed with its Sulphide Project. (Below) The scene at the Siocon National High School – Canatuan Annex campus shortly before the CADT Assembly.
While most of those who attended committed support for the Sulphide Project, some expressed apprehensions about it, which the company took on board, or responded and explained, if there were misunderstandings. A few were against it. After company representatives addressed the issues that were raised during the meeting, many of those who were initially undecided stated that they now realized the advantages of the project. Only a handful said they need more time to think it over.
Elder Roberto Mais, a member of the SSAI Board of Trustees, viewed the exchange of ideas and opinions as a welcome development. “Maayo gayud kaning adunay asembliya kay masabtan sa mga katawhan ang kabahin sa plano sa kompaniya ug usab madungog ang mga plano lakip na ang mga kabalaka sa mga igsuon namong Subano (It is really good that we have this assembly because people would be able understand the plans of the company which, in turn, will be able to listen to the concerns of my fellow Subanons),” Elder Mais averred.
MGB Region 9 SDMP and Safety Division Chief Jack Soriano was on hand to observe the Perception Survey, conducted by the SNHS teachers.
(Above) Yeban (with microphone) participates in a closing ritual for a successful CADT Assembly, as she is joined by Regino Tumangkis (extreme right), president of the Subanon Youth Organization; Celestino Guinagag (behind Yeban), presiding officer of the Subanon Council of Elders, Jack Soriano (with eyeglasses) of the MGB, and Thess Limpin (extreme left), CReDO manager. (Below) A truckload of Subanons from the far ends of the Canatuan ancestral domain arrive at the assembly site.
SSAI Chair Bonifacio “Boy” Patoh said it’s about time that the rift among leaders of the community be put to rest. He expressed hope that the benefits to be derived from the Sulphide Project will provide the catalyst for unification, just as the Gossan Project was a catalyst for development. “Nanghinaut ako nga pinaagi niining Sulphide Project, maplantsa na ang gamay’ng problema tali kanamong mga igsuong Subano. Angayan nga magkahi-usa na kami alang sa kalambuan sa among tribu (I am hoping that through this Sulphide project, the minor problems between us Subanons will be ironed out. It is only but proper for us to be united now for the development of our tribe),” he stressed.
Cynthia Comisas-Lacpao, with her children, the next generation of CADT beneficiaries, Breana (left), and Claire. “I am appealing to our leaders to set aside their personal differences for our children’s sake.”
Cynthia Comisas-Lacpao, a young Subanon mother who will soon take up nursing in the big city agrees with Patoh: “Mahinungdanon kaayo alang sa atong mga pangulo nga magkahiusa aron ang royalty nga makuha gikan sa Sulphide Project mas maayong pagkadumala (It is important for our leaders to get together so that the royalty that will be derived from the Sulphide Project will be better managed),” she said. “Mahinungdanon usab alang sa atong mga pangulo sa pagpabilin lamang sulod sa tribo sa mga isyu may kalambigitan ang komunidad ug sa dili pagpasalmot sa mga grupo gikan sa gawas aron masulbad namo kini nga walay impluwensiya gikan sa mga taga gawas (It is also important for our leaders to confine the issues confronting our community within the tribe and excludes groups outside of the tribe so we could deal with the problems by ourselves and not influenced by outsiders).
“Gihangyo nako ang among mga pangulo sa pagpadaplin una sa ilang mga personal nga bangi alang ug tungod sa among mga kabataan (I am appealing to our leaders to set aside their personal differences for our children’s sake),” Comisas-Lacpao added.
For her part, Inaulang Inampot was pleased with the outcome of the assembly. “Maayo gayud nga adunay asembliya nga gipatawag. Malipayon ako tungod sa gipatawag nga asembliya sa Council of Elders alang mga CADT beneficiaries. Ug maayo usab nga ang TVI naghatag sa pagtagad unsa among gibati ug mga panginahanglan. Gusto ko nga moapil niini para madungog akong tingog (It’s good that this assembly was called. I am happy because the Council of Elders called for an assembly of CADT beneficiaries. It shows that TVI cares to know what we feel and need. I want to participate and have my voice counted,” she said. (Rene Patangan)
