Mindanao Sakay-Lakad-Layag (SaLakYag) 2023 continued, with more civil society organizations joining the caravan in amplifying the call to pass the Rights of Nature bill and Declare a Climate Emergency.

Three more PMPI Clusters have launched their SaLakYag journey on 3 October 2023. Civil Society Organizations from CABUSTAM (Cagayan, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Malaybalay), Davao Region, and DOPIM (Dipolog, Ozamis, Pagadian, Iligan, Marawi) Clusters joined ZAMBASULI in the journey to promote environmental awareness and climate action.  The synchronous activity was led by members of PMPI in Cagayan de Oro, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, and Dipolog City respectively.

The Archdiocese of Dipolog through its Social Action Center hosted the press conference welcoming some twenty-nine (29)  members of the PMPI ZAMBASULI Cluster who traveled from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay after hosting the kick-off event for the Mindanao leg of SaLakYag.

At the press conference, Fr. Ramil Corong, Director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Dipolog stated, “This year’s celebration of the SALAKYAG coincides with the celebration of the Season of Creation. We hope that this effort will have a deep effect on the hearts and minds of our leaders. ”

Twenty (28) barangays out of the thirty-three (33) in the Municipality of Gutalac in Zamboanga del Norte are covered by mining project applications, one of which is Florjenmar Mining and Development Corporation, whose Gutalac Nickel Project is located in Barangays Bacong and Bayanihan of the said Municipality.

Atty. Josiah Quising, PMPI Campaign Lawyer said, “The economy is not just for corporations and rich people. The care for our environment, our common home, is for the future of the youth and the marginalized.”

The group, led by Roldan Gonzales, DOPIM Cluster Point Person, pointed out that “Our brothers and sisters from the Subanen IP communities are dismayed, anxious, and saddened from the intrusion of mining companies without their full knowledge.”

He continued, “The Municipalities of Piñan, Sindangan, Dapitan, Gutalac, Godod, and Rizal slowly fall under extractive activities that are now resulting in the slow decline of our local environment. We fear that this will impact the onset of climate-induced disasters in the future. ”

Mining and quarrying, cutting of trees, and illegal entry of mining activities into the Ancestral Domain of Subanens, along with their impacts on the environment and communities, were the issues raised by the PMPI DOPIM Cluster in Dipolog City.

Forum on Mining and Watershed

Banaybanay, Davao Oriental – About 60 representatives from the members of the PMPI Davao Region Cluster and the mining-affected community of Banaybanay and Mati City gathered together for a Mining and Watershed Forum on 3 October 2023 in Banaybanay. The forum aimed to raise awareness among people in the Davao Region about imminent ecological and climate crises and discuss and learn from the experiences of communities in Banaybanay Municipality and City of Mati on watershed protection, and environmental protection in general.

The contingent called for the passage of the RoN Bills in Congress and the filing of local RoN ordinances to consider all people and creation in protecting the environment.

At the end of the forum, participants pledged commitment to take action to address environmental issues and concerns, integrating the Rights of Nature approach in their work, and strengthening actions to protect the environment and people.

A Send-Off for Environmental Defenders

Cagayan De Oro, Misamis Oriental – Members of the PMPI CABUSTAM Cluster joined by Bishop Emeritus Tony Ledesma and Bishop Valentin Dimoc of the Apostolic Vicariate of Bonto Lagawe joined the send-off activity for its SaLakYag contingent on 3 October 2023, at the San Agustin Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro. The program commenced with a mass attended by hikers and bikers who traveled to Brgy. Gusa and Brgy. Bugo, Cagayan De Oro respectively.  At 4 in the afternoon, they converged at the Holy Cross Parish, Ampayon, Butuan, for a program and campaign discussion gathering participants from Gingoog, Bukidnon, Butuan, and Surigao fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among diverse communities dedicated to environmental advocacy.

SALAKYAG Mindanao Leg 2023

The SaLakYag 2023 activities unfolded simultaneously in various locations across Mindanao, culminating in an Environmental Summit held in General Santos City on 4 October 2023 for a 2-day Environmental Summit. This initiative sought to unite communities and individuals in a collective effort to address pressing environmental and climate-related issues.

SaLakYag 2023 aimed to raise awareness about environmental degradation, food, and human security, and the urgent implications of climate change. The event was a testament to the shared commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being by the members of the PMPI network.

The Event Started: 2 October 2023

The End Date: A 2-day Environmental Summit held on 4-5 October 2023