In a statement, Pamalakaya said: “Gina Lopez is an ally against large-scale destructive mining in Verde Island Passage (VIP), a strait which separates the islands of Luzon and Mindoro and is a home to almost eight million fishers, farmers and indigenous people.”
But the fishers’ group expressed reservations, as it noted Lopez’s “being vocal against large-scale mining yet favoring eco-tourism projects in the VIP.”
“Although it is a welcome development that the next DENR chief is a staunch anti-mining advocate, we object to her support for eco-tourism projects especially in coastal areas that massively displace the fishers,” said Salvador France, Pamalakaya vice-chairperson.
Pamalakaya said “eco-tourism projects could be no different from wanton mining exploration they can also wipe out fishing communities and other residents residing along the coast.”
“It won’t be good if the next DENR head will favor and approve massive reclamation and grand sell out of our coastlines to pave the way for beach resorts embedded with floating hotels at the expense of fisherfolk’s lives and livelihood,” France said.
He said “this is a strong reminder to Sec. Gina Lopez that we are always ready to oppose and frustrate any attempts to transform the productive fishing waters into money-making ventures of big business-magnates.”
But Pamalakaya also said it is “looking forward to the new DENR chief to put an end to all destructive large-scale mining.”
