The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) branded the proposed mining insurance by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Michael Defensor, as nothing but a license for abuse by large mining corporations. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of KMP, “the proposed mining insurance is also a stopgap measure as well as a consuelo de bobo, of the regime when anything goes wrong with the numerous mining operations ongoing and upcoming in the country. It is not a questions if a disaster would happen but when it would happen,”

“The Mining Act of 1995 is patently, is an anti-people  and anti-environment law, that is a clear violation of our patrimony and is indeed unconstitutional. The mining insurance would just serve as a cover to legitimize the havoc that big mining corporations will wreak upon our land,” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of the group, “we are not against mining per se but what we want is a responsible one, that Filipinos are the ones who would benefit. So our call is the junking of the Mining Act of 1995,”

“Mere amendments to the Mining Act would not be enough and would just be used to hide the monstrous provisions on the law. What is at stake here is not just our natural resources, but our patrimony and sovereignty as well,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 22 March 2005