An Object of Envy

  MINING of Natural resources                                                          Bane or Boon? 

By: dodong

Our place is not blessed with natural resources like gold deposits in Placer, Tubod and Claver Municipalities which have been the hosts for the exploration and the exploitation by big Corporations. Ours is just adjacent to these places of well known site of mines. We are somehow puzzled over why we are bereft of any industrial developments or advancements but even then the minimal benefits derived from employment of these mining companies extended to our community. Our local government is not one of the direct recipients of the tax and fees made by the exploration or exploitation of these mineral resources but although we are not directly affected, generally we are affected when the mother nature is wantonly destroyed, the mountains are totally effaced and put no one to exception to the adverse effects brought in by these mines.

In one of the speeches of Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. entitled “Mining in the Philippines: Bane or Boon”-(to give you an insight-bane is anything destructive or ruinous; and boon is good thing or bestowed blessing) I find it relevant to quote here in one of the very significant remarks he made: “It is so easy to mouth self-serving paeans to the bounty that the industry brings to the people. But it is difficult to believe it when you continue to see thousands of our people working in the mining pits or residing nearby still visibly mired in poverty.” The observation he made and the real situation in the mining site which gave reasons to our apprehensions are but worthy of our attention and close scrutiny.

In any mines for natural resources may it be gold, copper, silver, nickel and the likes, the mining companies acknowledge that their business operations have some form of environmental implications. In the case of gold mines which proliferate like mushrooms in our neighboring localities, let us be concerned by making ourselves vigilant of what had transpired in the mining operations. It would be wise for us if we know the nature of the mining and how mineral processing is done and what are the possible consequences that might result due to the volumes of mining wastes. The chemical characteristics of the waste (particularly mobility of metal constituents) are often of much concern. The crushed rocks may passed through the processing plant to extract the desired product is discharged from the tail end of the plant as the waste tailings, and in many parts of the world forms the greatest volume of mine waste. Tailing dams and embankment dams designed to retain water, have enabled many of the design techniques used with embankment dams to be applied to produce safe tailing dams, but despite great improvements, there has been a reported failure of a tailing dam. The damage caused by these failures is in the form of human casualties, destruction of property, disruption of communications and pollution of the environment. The extent of damages to river systems and farmlands resulting from the discharge of mine tailings, socio-economic dislocation of families and indigenous people in mining areas are enormous.

In Boyongan exploration of Surigao del Norte, the following stakeholder’s issues are noted

1. Since September 1995, when 12 people were buried, when a waste pond operated by a different mining company collapsed in Placer, Surigao del Norte, various exploration works in the province met opposition from local government units and NGOs. Some mining companies have been accused of manipulating community people by employing divide-and-rule tactics and of lacking in transparency.

2. In 1999, an exploration permit was issued to Silangan Mindanao Exploration Company Inc., a joint venture of Philex Gold Philippines Inc., and Anglo-American Exploration Philippines Inc., to conduct exploration works in Tubod, Surigao del Norte.

3. The St. Peter Catholic Parish Priest was working to have exploration permits cancelled. The Priest was concerned about the social effects of mining on the residents and has quoted the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) statement of concern on mining regarding its so called devastating effects. Past mining experiences in the country, including knowledge of past mining practices in the locality, make the priest and the community suspicious and vigilant of the company.

I proceed to disclose this following, not long ago, the provinces of Surigao has been the site of some worst excesses in mining, among them:

1. November 20, 1995 – Coal mine explosion claimed the lives of thirteen workers in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

2. April 26, 1999 – Tailing spill from a damaged concrete pipe of a different mining company buried 17 homes and swamped 51 hectares of Riceland in Surigao del Norte.

3. September 2000 – Protests erupted over the impending exploration project of another mining company in the nearby Placer Municipality.


Update of some mining Tailing spills outside the province of Surigao:


1.The biggest reported leakage of waste from a mine owned by the Marcopper, was on 24 March 1996, toxic mine tailings at the rate of 5-10 cubic metres per second were disgorged into the Makulapnit and Boac rivers. Discharge at the rate of 5-10 cubic metres is enough to fill up one dump-truck.The toxic spills immediately caused flash floods which isolated five villages, with a population of 4,400 people, along the far side of the Boac river. One village, Barangay Hinapula, was buried under six feet of muddy floodwater and 400 families had to flee to higher grounds. Their sources of drinking water were contaminated while fish, freshwater shrimp and pigs were killed. Helicopters had to fly in food, water and medical supplies to the isolated villages. Residents of 20 villages out of the 60 villages in the whole province were advised to evacuate their communities in Boac, Marinduque. 
  
2.  Philex’s Mining tailing dam spills, report published October 9, 2012.  Despite the 20.6 million metric tons of mine spill reported so far, the destructiveness and the lingering threats of another mine spill have yet to make headlines in the Philippines. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has not released yet a more detailed report on its extent and impact.In a protest action at the Philex’s main office in Ortigas, Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) and various groups demanded accountability from the mining company over what they call as “the worst mining disaster in the past two decades.”Aside from families immediately affected by the surge of mine tailings previously held in Philex’s tailings dam at Itogon, Benguet, the downriver communities would also have to deal with toxic substances in their waters, fish-kill, loss of livelihood and increased potential for flooding.

Is there any reason for us to be envious? We are living witness on how these God given mineral deposits were taken or let’s say had disappeared leaving the environments completely ruined and permanently stained the soils with used oils and other poisonous materials to extract the gold or other minerals from its original forms like mercury.

We don’t only preserve our patrimony by preventing irreversible degradation of the natural environment but more importantly we are preserving our lives as well… Let’s think of another thrust for our town, be a vanguard to take initiative and active involvement for our community!



But how sure are we that our mineral deposits beneath our mountains are not taken by the Mining Companies operating in nearby towns of Tubod, Placer and Alegria?

Ruby Jubilarians of 2010 of St. John's School

 The Saint John’s School 13^th Grand Alumni Homecoming

The successful SJS grand alumni homecoming was held last April 8-10, 2012, at the school campus of St. John’s School, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte. All of the alumni who participated the activities performed and attended with gusto, even if some of them came from different places and other countries. The three- day affair started last Easter Sunday after the mass when the 5 cluster group members were called to form each respective group near the altar for head count as the competition commenced before the registration at the plaza. We were caught flat footed as other alumni went home immediately right after the mass, notwithstanding the call from our parish priest Fr. Toto Tiu, announcing the instant prize of Php5000.00 coming from him personally of the surprise competition. With this, thank you Father Toto. The bigger number of members after the count was garnered by One-Sixers who later on turned out to be the overall champion when the 3-day event was concluded. The good sign has already been manifested by the good showing and participation of their members.

Our batch ’70, the Ruby Jubilarians of 2010 belongs  to cluster Magnificent ’05, however we placed second to the head count after the mass and so with the overall result of having just the slight edge of 2 points in favor of One-Sixers.   The highlights of the events were the registration of the attendees, parade, mass dancing, ball games and other sport activities, fellowship night where the guest speakers were Engr. Arnel Canon and Dr. Panfila Galindo-Mozar, Ph.D,  CEU Professor, my sister. Coronation of Miss and King of 13^th Grand alumni  Homecoming , awarding of medals and trophies, and in the final day after the mass, a tree growing was done as part of the culmination of activities before we proceeded to the beach party where the election of the new set of officers of  SJSAA was conducted.

Our batch is a Ruby+ going to Sapphire this coming next grand alumni homecoming on 2015. As it showed, most of our classmates withstood  the test of times as Ruby gemstones are thought to possess an eternal inner flame which is a symbol that the passion in any endeavor is still alive and strong. This means   the stone of fire and passion is thought to speed the healing of body, mind and spirit. We have just refreshed and reinvigorated our selves after we reminisced our high school days, reestablished our means of contacts or communications for our former classmates and friends and schoolmates of St. John’s School. Comes hell or high water, through thick and thin, to cherish our dreams of helping You, we are eager and committed to be with you our Alma Mater, with the end in view of attending this centennial celebration comes 14^th grand alumni homecoming  on 2015….Long live SJS.!!

What Bacuag means.....

The Historical Background of Bacuag, and its meaning ….

Bacuag was established and believed founded in 16^th century. The  Christianization of the natives was attributed by the deeds of a good Purtuguese Captain Francisco de Castro who first led the Christian evangelization of the natives in 1538.

 The name of the place have usually gotten from where the known activity happened or as a reference point and became a by-word. It was handed down by word of mouth during the years. Like sitio Bitaog, it was said that big birds were hopping during early nights in the big bitaog tree. The story goes until the origin of the word Bacuag. To etymologize, the word Bacuag-derived from two words “Bacao” in Surigaonon dialect means Mangrove tree, or "Bacaoan"- a dense place where Mangrove trees are found, and “ Hauag” means much space, wide or large. In the "Compilation Notes" on the most important tree species of Philippine Islands, page 10 of the report of Captain George Patrick Ahern-1859-1942 of the Ninth United State Infantry, Incharge of Forestry Bureau in the Philippines during the "Age of Imperialism", listed was Bacaoan or Bacao with scientific name Rhizophora Apiculata/Conjugata L., a local name for Asiatic mangrove tree. Therefore Bacuag is a combination of two words Bacao+Hauag (Bacauag) or Bacuag as presently called, meaning plenty of mangroves. We know the old name of the town Bacuag as the word evolves, was Pueblo de Pahuntungan.

The place was noted for its swampy area, rich in nipa  and mangrove trees. The original town or community was established in “Pueblo de Pahuntungan”. But as years drifted by, the bulk  of  the  people including their leaders/the center of administrative functions  were transferred in “lungsod daan”-meaning Old Town, the eastern side of the present location. This community was  for unknown reasons changed its name but probably for the good and welfare of the people, one was to forget the social stigma, the off-shoot of the bloody revolt that took place in 1631 where the church was destroyed and  it cost the lives of the Spanish priests and soldiers.  All in all 16 Spaniards had been killed, of whom three were missionaries not to mention the Caragan casualties.

It was told that Bacuag was hit by strong typhoon in 1851 thus the community  was also flooded because Sabang river ( near Bansilay tree) overflowed and the people suffered loses with great risk of their lives when the sea surge due to its high tide and the people find it nowhere to go as the river almost encircled the community. With this kind of calamity experienced by the people of Bacuag, the group of Kapitanes, the founding elders  petitioned the authorities in Manila to transfer the settlement to a safer place. This petition dated March 2, 1853 was signed by a group of Kapitanes, namely; Simon Efren, Antonio Odjinar, Agustin Opalia de los Santos, Juan Ugay Mariano and Cipiano Orquina Francisco. This document was offficially endorsed by Fr. Gregorio Logronio, then parish priest of Gigaquit. It was approved thus Bacuag was transferred to its present site in 1855.

During the American Colonial government of the Philippines, under Public Act No. 947, they reorgnized the local government system and many towns were converted into barrios in 1904. The Province of Surigao retained only the municipalities of Surigao, Placer, Dinagat and Dapa. This could have terminated the corporate existence of many Pueblos – Sapao, Numancia, Cabontog, Tagana-an, Mainit and Claver. (Source:surigaodelnorte.gov.ph) It could be adduced that although Pueblo de Pahuntungan was not mentioned here, as it happened this town ceased to exist as Pueblo and was reverted back as barrio under the Municipality of Gigaquit until in 1918 when an Executive order No. 61 was issued ordering Bacuag as a separate Municipality from Gigaquit again. On January 1, 1919 Executive Order No. 61 signed by Governor-General Charles Emmett Yeater came into being when Lucas Patiño was appointed as the first Municipal President at that time Bacuag regained its identity as another town completely waning the shackle of authority from the mother town Gigaquit. Hence every new year's day is supposedly a Bacuag day or "Araw ng Bacuag". 

From The Child

I know I’m a grown up kid but for me as your child you’re my one and only father whom I need and always ready to give guidance and protection. You remain my protector and so do I will remain under your stewardship unless by reason of age or otherwise bestowed by clear explicit manifestation that I already broke the shackles of authority by marriage and a change of domicile. The way I see it if there is a need for your intervention to reform my personal character/traits on issues of health and the like then in all good reasons as my father, at any time you can do it.

I can’t fathom why this happening, my irrational actuation, senseless happy go lucky attitude seems controlling my person. Could I blame you if lots of prejudices in what I’ve done in relation to my situation and predicaments came into your mind? Perhaps you could say repeatedly to me where did you falter as a father and guardian to warrant these worries. All that matter is I did no wrong except that I forgot someone like you won’t cease to care for our own good. Well may be you are still skeptical whether or not I’m telling the truth but the point here is nobody from my siblings can tell where I am because I just wanted to be alone. I have prayed for us to be resilient, enlightened, put closures to my past misgivings and reestablish relationship among us in a more holistic understanding of the family. I understand your objective is for us to maintain well being in different domains, continue enhancing our ability to develop competence not only to survive but to thrive over the rat-race advocacy and adverse world.

I realize this can only be done by family cohesion. Cohesive families are more intertwined by interpersonal closeness, high levels of communication and harmony, and at least refrain and never engage even moderate levels of engagement.

I know it is really bad for you to be stress out. But this parenting entails a lot of worries, and may be, sleepless nights may cause you so much stress, because you’ll be concerned about our whereabouts and have the feelings of being unable to disciple me or us effectively. Hoping it is not too late. Forgive me for all these in-sensitivities. Take good care, I love you.

A Clear Silhouette

To be emphatic let me say that I have nothing to lose but something you to gain in my being up front and honest with you. I will try to do the things for myself and for my family. Life is not always easy, and life is not always fair. But you don’t have to make life harder than it has to be. Right now I’m just trying to find my ways in this world as a single person. Sometimes I feel lost in this world. So I try to make things simple, appreciate the things I have, and enjoy life and to the family.

I am not looking for a perfect person much as I wanted you, because I’m not perfect. But I always wanted what your mom wanted you to be. If ever there are things or situation just cropped up beyond us without our slightest expectation, the mode of the day shall be to find ways to possibly undone it if it could be otherwise look for alternative or remedy to lessen the adversity.

Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help! Every moment has a lesson, and when we learn it, it has already served its purpose. May the lesson learned strengthened and resolve to do better. Be inspired to lead a purpose driven life.  Live fully and be happy. The truth is life is too short. Things in this world are temporary. If events are turning well, be contented and enjoy.  If they go wrong, don't worry, it won’t last long and you can still improve it.  I maybe a broken record to you to re-stress and over emphasize the good points worth instilling in your mind and soul, but I don’t mind because I have a greater faith in you that sooner you may come to realize and be guided by your senses.  As the dawn of the early morning has started showing its magnificent glitters of sunlight, giving more life to the beautiful sea breeze and silver scenery, a new direction of your life is seen. The responsibility leaned on your shoulders is now felt and everybody bears witness to it..
 (P.S. Try to understand between the lines of my blogs if you have the chance.)

A note from a Mother....

The Essence of My Being 

I know you need my warm touch,
Though I'm away it's yours so attached,
I oblige you need my tender kiss,
No care can equal a maternal embrace.
When my world seems dark,
Your smile made my life very well stark,
My heart cries but pretentious to not shock.

I watch you grow every moment my heart glow,
My turn to smile when you present a show,
Now I see you in the abyss of dreams,
Sometimes stopped by nightmares and screams,
When you stumble, fall and despair,
Felt crushed I complained it's so unfair.
Courage not develop by just being happy everyday,
But by surviving trials and facing any & all adversity.

I am happy when time change & you grow old,
At times sad, made me cry, you have your own world,
It's my desire that you live what's an ideal,
But environment, friends taught otherwise real,
Am your mother wishes to impose her will,
May not be proper no matter beautiful the plan still
Not my world, but hope everything's right & all is well.

The world seems incomplete without you,
You've perceived it's intolerable to leave you,
If I indulge for naught, pretense and frivolity,
In many ways the situation explains it anyway,
I regret if in your life I was once away,
With my words, good deeds and with great ends,
All I need is understanding, broken heart mends,
What I wanted is to be with you forever....
But you like to live with me young as ever,
Nostalgia! never been forgotten you in my life...
NEVER!

Part of the History of Bacuag

PUEBLO DE PAHUNTUNGAN...Old name of Bacuag!
The Caraga Antigua 1521-1910


 In Chapter X- The Revolt of Caraga, 1631. I came across in page 146 that Bacuag was mentioned as one of the places where the Spanish presence on the east coast (then named District of Caraga) were given mission stations for the subjugation of the Moros in southern and western Mindanao. The Spaniards made use of native soldiers recruited from the people (Caragans) of Surigao. But later the Caragans resisted Castillan dominations. Combes’ (“Historia de Mindanao y Jolo,” Col. 217) put it this way:

 “About 300 caragans under Captain Lorenzo de Olazo had taken in that campaign,and upon their returning to their territory, they also decided to resist Spanish domination from then on. They Had been the most outstanding fighters in that campaign.”

 In 1609 the Spanish presence had started with the construction of a stone-fortification at Tandag. Local Chief Mangabo, nicknamed “crododile of Tago” and his men were originally local soldiers of the parish priest under the command of the Fort Commander Captain Pedro Bautista, but later on led the rebellion against Spanish soldiers and Friars due to their cruelties and oppressive treatments to the natives that made them more hostile with the Spaniards. Mangabo with his followers killed the missionaries of Tago and next Tandag church underwent the same fate. Another group headed by Balintos sailed to Siargao. First they attacked Cabuntog and burned the place but Sapao escaped their wrath because one resident who happened to be relative of Mangabo vigorously objected to their attack for and in behalf of the residents.

 Lorenzo de San Facundo, the local missionary of Cabuntog, was not hurt because he sailed to Bacuag (2) two days prior to the attack. Fray Pedro de San Antonio, “the parish priest of Abucay,” left for Cebu and fray Lorenzo took his place for the time being. (*At present there is an abucay about halfway between Placer and Bacuag, but it cannot have been the location of 1631 because it is not near the seashore. There is one Recoleto report mentioning a “bay of Abucay” in the general area, which would seem, after all, to point to the present Placer, a conclusion that fits all written reports). Abucay…in page 150 “The story does not indicate where this village was located. From the context analysis it becomes clear that it cannot have been far from Bacuag. This is not much of a help in itself, however, because it is certain that in the 17th and 18th centuries Bacuag was not located where it is now, but at the site the present Pahuntungan. To keep a long story short: It can safely be assumed that the Abucay of 1631 was located where now Placer is.” In other words, the early settlers of Bacuag were in Pahuntungan, (Pueblo de Pahuntungan) the old name of Bacuag.

 “The following Spaniards were then in Bacuag: Fray Lorenzo plus the lay brother Francisco, the tax collector Gaspar de los Reyes and his son, Sergeant Antonio Garcia del Valle, Diego del Castillo and Diego de Mesa. The sergeant and de Mesa were preparing to depart for the fort of Tandag and took leave of the rest on the bank of the “river Cawayan flowing next to Bacuag.” Is this same river that separates present Panhutungan to Sitio Punta or Siwata of Bacuag Poblacion? The son of Mangabo named Zancalan had sailed from Tago to Parasao (Cantilan) and to Bacuag. After one day of traveling they went ashore somewhere near Punta Tugas (is this same place presently called Punta or Siwata?). Here they were informed that the two Spaniards who were traveling from Bacuag to the fort of Tandag were in the neighborhood. They caught them unaware and so they killed them. Fray Lorenzo de Facundo and his Brother Francisco's lives were spared after the group of Zancalan, the son of chief Mangabo captured them and over powered the Spaniards, killed them and burned the church of Bacuag. Later  Fray Lorenzo and his brother were brought to Tago and were presented to his father Mangabo. Many things had happened including the change of heart of Mangabo towards his captives and that Fray Lorenzo realized God heard his prayers thus changed Mangabo's hatred into love.

The document above was part of the "seven pages of complete statistical data of the District of Caraga, compiled in 1750. This is one of the many documents stolen during the British Occupation of Manila in 1762, at present in the British Library in London (Ms.13973, Add) (With permission of the British Library, in London)." It could be gleaned on this document that Pueblos (Towns) such as Pueblo de Higaquet (presently Gigaquit), Pueblo de Pahuntungan (presently Bacuag) and Pueblo de Surigao were already established towns of the old Caraga as in the later years of the 15th century the Spanish Missionaries like the Agustinians, Dominicans and Franciscans were already in placed in the island of Mindanao particularly in the east District of Caraga to evangelize and Christianize the caragans to effect their designed Reduction and Coversion of pagans.

 On April 12, 1873 the change of the missionary guard took place in the town of Gigaquit. Recoleto pastor Fray Juan Pablo Ruiz was replaced by Father Juan Sansa, the barrios of Placer, Bacuag and Taganito belonged to the parish of Gigaquit. Claver did not exist yet. Already in 1873 it was decided that eventually Placer and Taganaan would be separated from Gigaquit and Surigao respectively and made into a separate parish as soon as a priest would be available to staff it (p. 332 Caraga Antigua).

With the advent of the American colonial government, thru Public Act 947, recognized the local government system but reorganized the same, "and many towns were converted into barrios in 1904. The Province of Surigao retained only the municipalities of Surigao, Placer, Dinagat and Dapa. This could have terminated the corporate existence of many Pueblos – Sapao, Numancia, Cabuntog, Tagana-an, Mainit. While some municipalities gained or regained their status albeit some had new names during the American period as in the case of General Luna (1929), Bacuag, Gigaquit, Mainit, (1931) subsequently towns were created after Philippine Independence of 1946."

 The Caraga Antigua 1521-1910
 The Hispanization and Christianization of Agusan, Surigao and East Davao
 By Peter Schreurs