Sunday, February 17, 2013

Semirara mining disaster: A wake-up call on government to change course


PRESS RELEASE
17 February 

A change in mining policy and use of coal in power generation must be taken into consideration when government agencies conduct their investigations on the mining disaster that took place off Semirara island in the province of Antique, the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said in a statement.

PM Chair Renato Magtubo, said that aside from the working condition which is the group’s primary concern on this issue, the Sermirara disaster also confirms the basic flaw in operating a business that gambles with the lives of workers and in promoting an industry that destroys the balance of nature.

The incident left at least seven people dead while several others are still missing.   It also raised the prospect of the country having to face a supply problem since the Semirara Mining Corporation supplies 90% of the country’s coal requirements. 

“This is another wake-up call for government to change course.  A hard choice has to be made here whether we proceed with the hazards of coal mining or we make a decisive shift towards renewable energy and to a more safe and sustainable sources of jobs,”stated Magtubo.

Coal mining and coal-powered generation system in the power industry contribute significantly to the global warming as they emit more carbon (CO2) to the atmosphere compared to renewable energy sources.  Almost 30% or 4,867MW of the country’s 16,359 MW total installed generating capacity comes from coal. 

“This sector is supposed to be in the outward transition in the midst of climate crisis.  Unfortunately, the failure of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to generate additional capacities made coal the preferred option for private investors,” added Magtubo.

Magtubo explained further that while the mining industry creates employment, its share to the country’s total employment is a negligible 0.07% based on the latest Labor Force Survey.  He added that except for mine engineers, ordinary mine workers receive low wages despite this industry being considered most dangerous to workers by the International Labor Organization (ILO).  And even with too much hype on the benefits derived from mining, the country’s share from private mining activities is only about 2% in excise tax. 

Meanwhile, the Partido ng Manggagawa is putting up a “Manggagawa Naman!” challenge to candidates to ensure that even with election fever workers issues are not eclipsed by costly and noisy political ads. 

“If they want to court our vote, then they should stand first with our ‘Apat na Dapat’ demand,” said Magtubo.

The ‘Apat na Dapat’ demands under the ‘Manggagawa Naman’ challenge include demands for regular jobs and a living wage; universal health care, education and affordable housing; equal rights and opportunities for women; and low prices on food, water and power.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really recognise what you are speaking approximately!
Bookmarked. Kindly also talk over with my site =).
We will have a hyperlink change agreement between us

my blog post: FDA approved diet and appetite suppressors in Miami

Anonymous said...

Anothег гeаson why thеy arе
natural, safe, aρpetitе supprеssants and fat сan ѕubsided diffісult once you ѕtагt your raspbeгry ketones.
Don't ever try to engage your body feels great once you get rid of extra additional weight gain can also help you become slimmer and healthier you. Complex carbohydrates include root vegetables are critical in raspberry ketones must be used as a full-qualified vet and will strengthen and tone your body transitions back into the motion. Arm Yourself with a low calorie organic diet.

My homepage: ketoneraspberrytips.com

Anonymous said...

Great blog you have got here.. It's difficult to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

Feel free to surf to my web-site; Raspberry Ketones

Anonymous said...

Hi there! This post couldn't be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I'll senԁ this pοst tο hіm.
Faіrly certain hе will have a gоod read.
Thаnk уou foг ѕhaгing!


Also νiѕіt my blog - ketone supplements

Anonymous said...

My family members all the time say that I am killing my time here at net,
but I know I am getting familiarity all the time by
reading such pleasant posts.

http://ankasquake.com/groups/how-to-buy-real-active-twitter-followers-also-reduce-availability-of-your-website/
http://anairhostess.com/jewelry-wear-handy-insurance-policies-purpose-how-buy-real-followers-twitter
http://animalmundimodapet.com.br/cheap-twitter-followers-free-2-opening
http://apollo.friendsacademy1810.org/groups/latin/wiki/5d44e/Mishap_Twitter_Concerning_Twitter_Automaticaly.
html
http://amazingleadership.com/blog/altas85ewbifoudbws/immediate-products-cheap-twitter-followers-free-any-kind-z

my weblog: rosedale

Anonymous said...

It's going to be finish of mine day, but before ending I am reading this great article to increase my experience.

http://africa-sports.tv/motion/read_blog/8145/swift-systems-located-in-how-to-choose-the-best-social-media-services-.-.-.-a-a-z
http://africanamericansupersite.com/index.php?do=/blog/105284/how-to-buy-cheap-real-twitter-followers-and-a-great-start/
http://alergen.art.pl/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=64636
http://agudahaifa.co.il/content/generate-while-its-true-amusing-utilizing-twitter-followers
http://africanamericansupersite.com/index.php?do=/profile-53959/info/

Feel free to surf to my weblog: allreal

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I
have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

http://aaawashington.org/phpBB/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=97764
http://adriaticproperty.com/?q=forum/27484
http://adar.ee.nctu.edu.tw/course/user/view.php?id=78203&course=1
http://adriaticproperty.com/?q=forum/28871
http://4taxi.ru/node/79916

Also visit my web blog :: eternity

Anonymous said...

Ηаving гead thіs I believеd it was extгemely іnfοгmatіve.
I аpprecіate you spending ѕοme timе anԁ energy to put this ѕhоrt агticle tοgеther.
I once аgaіn fіnd myself spenԁing a lot
of time both гeadіng anԁ сοmmenting.
But so whаt, it wаs stіll woгth it!


Mу wеb blog - health insuгance сοmρаnіes []

Anonymous said...

Увеличивайте качественные беклинки на ваш интернет сайт и повысьте популярность сайта, Индекс качества сайта. Разбавьте текущую ссылочную массу, усиливайте беклинки с бирж ссылок, пирамида ссылок, tier 1, tier 2, tier 3. Пожизненные ссылки с трастовых сайтов на ваш ресурс, экономичнее чем на биржах и аналогов на интернет рынке беклинков. Официальный сайт - https://seobomba.ru/