Geothermal is mining / Pilar College and the Habib

At the Bayan Ko, Konsensya Ko conference at the Centro Escolar auditorium, Professor Carlo Arcilla speaking to hundreds of teachers and students talked about responsible mining and the crucial role it can play in our country’s development.

It was a good reminder of how badly governed we are. Our government has been remiss in developing a coherent policy on mining and yet that is the only bi ticket industry that could lift many Filipinos out of poverty.

As mining studies have shown our country is so richly endowed with mineral resources it boggles the mind. But with slip-shod policy and governance, we are unable to make use of it, not to mention some powerful but misplaced opposition.

For example we are acknowledged as the world’s second largest producer of geothermal energy. Chile is seeking the Philippines’ help to develop their geothermal resources. It would have been ideal to exchange their expertise on copper with our expertise on geothermal energy. The Lopez-owned firm Energy Development Corp. is being tapped by the Chileans and I hear they have now opened an office in Chile. That’s great. By the way, geothermal energy is an extractive industry to which all mining belongs.

Ironically, a member of the Lopez family is at the head of a campaign that projects all mining as irresponsible. Bad luck for us but great for Chile that has grown in leaps and bounds because of their copper mining and will now also enjoy the benefits of geothermal energy.

President Aquino and Chilean President Sebastian Piñera have discussed the EDC project. I hope the discussions included how we can tap Chile’s mining expertise, too. 

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Why is something as crucial as how to make use of our resources for the many blocked by vested interests? The well-read Fr. Ranni Aquino gave the answer in the same conference. He talked on examples of responsible leadership.

“Responsible leadership rejects personality cults, and the responsible leader never makes of himself a cultic figure. A responsible leader will endeavor to live honesty, act uprightly and conduct himself responsibly, he will not make of his own righteousness an ideology nor of his prejudices and personal inclinations, the dogmas of his cult.”

He cited the great thinker Wittgenstein who said “act ethically, but do not talk ethics. Think logically, but do not talk logic. Believe ardently, but do not talk metaphysics or religion!”

I am glad he took time in his speech to say that the economic benefits we are reaping today were made possible by the Arroyo administration which is not being acknowledged by the present administration.

“In the first place, one does not have to be familiar with subtleties of high-level economics to understand that if we reap the benefits of infrastructure development as well as foreign investments today, the groundwork could not have been laid only yesterday.”

I was surprised that he did not hesitate to criticize the Aquino government for refusing to give credit to whom it is due. “It is ingratitude, and wise leaders always acknowledge indebtedness to the past, because that is one way one constantly reminds oneself to be circumspect as one lays down the groundwork for the future.”

Touching indirectly on the controversial cyber crime law he referred to Solzhenitzyn’s Gulag Archipelago. He said “the responsible leader is one who destroys gulags, not one who establishes them.

“It is he who fosters dissent knowing that that power that Arendt identifies as the social glue is formed by the uncomfortable but necessary mix of contending opinions and views, not the semblance of unanimity which is almost always a tell-tale sign of true democracy’s demise.” Well said, Fr. Aquino. The BKKK conference signaled a growing dissent with the spate of scandals that have hit the Aquino government.

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There are now many advocacy groups doing their own thing, tackling issues and pushing for change. One group, Change.org has successfully campaigned to persuade the Pilar College, a Catholic school to allow Muslim students to wear their hijabs to school.

It might be insignificant to others but something as important as religious tolerance is bound to improve the society in which we live.

Change.org launched their campaign for signatures in cyberspace. The group showed that when we have a mind to change things, we can change them.

Even more powerful than peace talks the group has done a lot to show how Muslims and Christians can live together. This is what they said in their message to this column, “Your signature’s incredible impact Congratulations! Pilar College has agreed to allow its Muslim students to wear their hijabs to school.

“The school said in a joint statement with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) that they will also implement programs to strengthen Muslim and Christian understanding and relations with the assistance of NCMF. You’ve helped ensure that students will no longer feel discriminated against based on their religion or class.

“NCMF Sec. Mehol Sadain presented the petition to participants during a dialogue. The campaign owed its success from the efforts of ‘a cross section of society, Muslim and Christian alike.’

“It broke the religious barrier that has been set up between the pro and anti-hijab groups when the issue came out in the open. (The petition) was well-received by the RVM nuns. I congratulate Change.org members for such a laudable effort and Ms. Janina Pangilinan for initiating the petition,” Sec. Sadain said.

Nur Danial, one of the leaders of the Right to Hijab Movement in Zamboanga City, said the use of online people power made an invaluable contribution to this multi-stakeholder effort.

“The strong determination of the Right to Hijab Movement and the Muslim ummah as a whole, and the support of the non-Muslims also through Change.org online petition led the victory and positive change in the society.”

There will be other issues other than Janina’s petition, but as the group said it is important to be aware that people from different parts of the country can get together and help make real change and improve people’s lives.

It would have been so easy to just turn a blind eye on the plight of Janina.