Eastern Visayas Youth Council An Orientation and Call to Action.

Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas Youth CouncilYouth Council

An OrientationAn Orientation

and and

Call to ActionCall to Action

A Glimpse of the PastA Glimpse of the Past In 1987, there were attempts to organize In 1987, there were attempts to organize

Samar-Leyte Youths in Metro Manila as a Samar-Leyte Youths in Metro Manila as a support mechanism and formation for support mechanism and formation for Samar-Leyte Migrants and Internal Samar-Leyte Migrants and Internal Refugees resettled in various urban poor Refugees resettled in various urban poor community, and at the same time community, and at the same time mobilize material, financial, technical, mobilize material, financial, technical, and even personnel support to the region and even personnel support to the region through the existing people’s through the existing people’s organizations (PO’s) and non-government organizations (PO’s) and non-government organizations (NGO’s) as well.organizations (NGO’s) as well.

In March 23, 1991, the First General In March 23, 1991, the First General Assembly of the Eastern Visayas Youth Assembly of the Eastern Visayas Youth Council (EVYC) was finally launched. Council (EVYC) was finally launched. The Assembly had the theme: The Assembly had the theme: YOUTH’S UNITY AS A PREREQUISITE YOUTH’S UNITY AS A PREREQUISITE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Representatives of about ten (10) Representatives of about ten (10) Samar-Leyte organizations attended Samar-Leyte organizations attended and eventually became the first official and eventually became the first official members of the new students alliance. members of the new students alliance.

The ConvenorsThe Convenors There is a significant number of Samar-Leyte There is a significant number of Samar-Leyte

students in various colleges and universities in students in various colleges and universities in Metro-Manila. In the spirit of unity and Metro-Manila. In the spirit of unity and camaraderie, they have organized themselves into camaraderie, they have organized themselves into fraternities, sororities and socio-civic formations. fraternities, sororities and socio-civic formations. Initial investigation revealed that these formations Initial investigation revealed that these formations are present in about fifteen (15) colleges and are present in about fifteen (15) colleges and universities in Metro-Manila. To mention a few: universities in Metro-Manila. To mention a few: Kaurusa-Samar (UE-Recto), Waray-Waray Society Kaurusa-Samar (UE-Recto), Waray-Waray Society (Adamson), Leysam (GAUF, MLQU, MI, CR), (Adamson), Leysam (GAUF, MLQU, MI, CR), Magsarangkay (UE-Cal.), Samar-Leyte Society Magsarangkay (UE-Cal.), Samar-Leyte Society (AU), Samar Student Organization (FEU), UP (AU), Samar Student Organization (FEU), UP Sidlangan (UP Diliman) and many others in UP-Sidlangan (UP Diliman) and many others in UP-Manila, PATS and NU. These organizations Manila, PATS and NU. These organizations eventually became the convenors and founding eventually became the convenors and founding members of the EVYC.members of the EVYC.

ActivitiesActivities Among the different activities engaged into by the Among the different activities engaged into by the

organization were: fund-raising through Cultural organization were: fund-raising through Cultural Night, Integration cum research work in some Night, Integration cum research work in some Samar-Leyte urban poor communities, joined in Samar-Leyte urban poor communities, joined in relief operation in Ormoc City and Mt. Pinatubo, relief operation in Ormoc City and Mt. Pinatubo, joined fact-finding mission in Hilongos, Leyte and joined fact-finding mission in Hilongos, Leyte and Northern Samar respectively, conducted radio-info Northern Samar respectively, conducted radio-info drive in Tacloban City concerning EVYCO, drive in Tacloban City concerning EVYCO, organized sports fest, launched education and organized sports fest, launched education and trainings, hosted exposurists from Belgium, Mexico, trainings, hosted exposurists from Belgium, Mexico, Italy last May l994, school hopping and fellowship Italy last May l994, school hopping and fellowship gathering. It was also during this time that Maybelle gathering. It was also during this time that Maybelle Mangada and Noreen Pampanga of UP Sidlangan Mangada and Noreen Pampanga of UP Sidlangan was sent to Belgium for solidarity network with the was sent to Belgium for solidarity network with the Aalter Youth.Aalter Youth.

The New ChallengeThe New Challenge Despite the worsening crisis affecting the Despite the worsening crisis affecting the

majority of the families of EV, a great number majority of the families of EV, a great number of Samar-Leyte students still opt for collegiate of Samar-Leyte students still opt for collegiate and post-graduate studies in Metro-Manila. In and post-graduate studies in Metro-Manila. In the process, some became members of various the process, some became members of various Samar-Leyte organizations and many are still Samar-Leyte organizations and many are still waiting (or better still wanting!) to be waiting (or better still wanting!) to be organized. Time has come then to form a organized. Time has come then to form a broad alliance of individuals and organizations broad alliance of individuals and organizations for genuine development - as students and as for genuine development - as students and as Waray-Waray. It is therefore imperative to Waray-Waray. It is therefore imperative to foster unity among the studentry and harness foster unity among the studentry and harness their great potential for the benefits of their their great potential for the benefits of their fellow students, for those living in the slum fellow students, for those living in the slum areas of Metro-Manila and for those in the areas of Metro-Manila and for those in the region. region.

Today, every Waray-Waray student Today, every Waray-Waray student (as individual or as member of an (as individual or as member of an organization) is being challenged to organization) is being challenged to seriously consider his/her political seriously consider his/her political significance and role in the significance and role in the development of Eastern Visayas as development of Eastern Visayas as future leaders and hope of the future leaders and hope of the region!region!

The Nature and Tasks of The Nature and Tasks of EVYCEVYC We envision a broad Manila-based alliance of We envision a broad Manila-based alliance of

students from Samar-Leyte for socio-civic students from Samar-Leyte for socio-civic developmental concerns for Region 8 with the developmental concerns for Region 8 with the following tasks:following tasks: Advocacy campaign on issues affecting EV regionAdvocacy campaign on issues affecting EV region Organizing students in Metro-ManilaOrganizing students in Metro-Manila Education and training for its membersEducation and training for its members Mobilizing various form of support for the regionMobilizing various form of support for the region Conduct researches and studies (EV concerns)Conduct researches and studies (EV concerns) Exposure/Immersion program Exposure/Immersion program Establish networks and linkages (local and Establish networks and linkages (local and

international)international) A non-stock, non-profit organization, EVYC is A non-stock, non-profit organization, EVYC is

registered at the Securities and Exchange registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission as of 19 March 1993 (SEC Reg No. Commission as of 19 March 1993 (SEC Reg No. AN093-01392)AN093-01392)

With these tasks at hand, we hope to With these tasks at hand, we hope to reach out the broadest number of reach out the broadest number of students in every colleges and students in every colleges and universities in Metro-Manila and universities in Metro-Manila and establish linkages with other Samar-establish linkages with other Samar-Leyte student organizations, fraternities Leyte student organizations, fraternities and sororities and eventually form the and sororities and eventually form the broadest sectoral alliance of EV students broadest sectoral alliance of EV students in Metro-Manila through the EASTERN in Metro-Manila through the EASTERN VISAYAS YOUTH COUNCIL (EVYC).VISAYAS YOUTH COUNCIL (EVYC).

EVYC is a venue for sharing, caring EVYC is a venue for sharing, caring and support system for students away and support system for students away from home. And henceforth, a from home. And henceforth, a wholesome and meaningful gathering wholesome and meaningful gathering of student-youth with clear direction in of student-youth with clear direction in life life (may prinsipyo),(may prinsipyo), a vision for a a vision for a humane society humane society (may pangarap)(may pangarap) and a and a mission to serve others for the interest mission to serve others for the interest of the common good of the common good (may (may pananagutan).pananagutan).

Ha yana, an EVYC naeksister la Ha yana, an EVYC naeksister la gihapon, pero nawara na an mga gihapon, pero nawara na an mga miyembro hini. Kadam-an mga miyembro hini. Kadam-an mga nangradwar ngan nagin mga nangradwar ngan nagin mga propesyunal, aadto na ha iba nga nasud propesyunal, aadto na ha iba nga nasud o mayda na iba nga sektoral nga o mayda na iba nga sektoral nga organisasyon nga kinaaapihan.organisasyon nga kinaaapihan.

An ayat yana, nga utro nga mai-tindog An ayat yana, nga utro nga mai-tindog an EVYC ha panlilimbasug han mga an EVYC ha panlilimbasug han mga founding member organizationsfounding member organizations hini. Labi na han UP Sidlangan nga usa hini. Labi na han UP Sidlangan nga usa ha mga nagtukod han EVYC.ha mga nagtukod han EVYC.

An Komite han Utro nga Pagtitindog An Komite han Utro nga Pagtitindog han EVYC, in nakasumpay na ha pira han EVYC, in nakasumpay na ha pira nga mga organisasyon ug indibidwal ha nga mga organisasyon ug indibidwal ha magkadurudilain nga unibersidad ug magkadurudilain nga unibersidad ug kolehiyo ha Metro Manila. Sugad ha kolehiyo ha Metro Manila. Sugad ha UST, San Beda, UE, FEU, La Salle, UST, San Beda, UE, FEU, La Salle, PUP, ngan iba pa.PUP, ngan iba pa.

Ginhuhulat nala nga matirok ngan Ginhuhulat nala nga matirok ngan dugang nga mapadamo ini nga mga dugang nga mapadamo ini nga mga organisasyon ug indibidwal ha usa nga organisasyon ug indibidwal ha usa nga Pangkabug-osan nga Asembliya para Pangkabug-osan nga Asembliya para pormal nga matukod utro an EVYC.pormal nga matukod utro an EVYC.

Mga Isyu nga gin-Mga Isyu nga gin-aatubang:aatubang:

Logging ngan Mining ha Isla han SamarLogging ngan Mining ha Isla han Samar Mining ha Manicani ug Homonhon IslandsMining ha Manicani ug Homonhon Islands Pagmala-ukab hin lana (oil) ha ilarum han Pagmala-ukab hin lana (oil) ha ilarum han

San Juanico Strait nga makahihibang han San Juanico Strait nga makahihibang han mga corals ngan iba nga natural nga mga corals ngan iba nga natural nga karikuhan han lugar, nga ha kadugangan karikuhan han lugar, nga ha kadugangan makakaapekto ha mga parupangisdamakakaapekto ha mga parupangisda

Padayon nga nagtitikakuri nga Padayon nga nagtitikakuri nga kamutangan han mga kablas natong nga kamutangan han mga kablas natong nga kabugtoan.kabugtoan.

Nagtitikagrabe nga pananalapas han Nagtitikagrabe nga pananalapas han tawhanon nga katungodtawhanon nga katungod

Major Points in Mining Major Points in Mining Situation in EVSituation in EV

I.I. Total Land ResourceTotal Land Resource – 2, – 2, 143, 169 ha or 143, 169 ha or 21,562 sq. km.21,562 sq. km.

Agricultural – 925, 000 ha.Agricultural – 925, 000 ha. Forest – 604, 148 ha.Forest – 604, 148 ha. Residential – 347, 077 ha.Residential – 347, 077 ha.

Camotes SeaCamotes Sea Carigara BayCarigara Bay Visayas SeaVisayas Sea Leyte GulfLeyte Gulf Maqueda BayMaqueda Bay Samar SeaSamar Sea Cabalian BayCabalian Bay Sogod BaySogod Bay San Pedro BaySan Pedro Bay Pacific OceanPacific Ocean

II.II. Sea ResourceSea Resource

III.III. Mineral Resource Mineral Resource Nickel (71.20 Nickel (71.20

million metric tons)million metric tons) Copper (22.30 Copper (22.30

million metric tons)million metric tons) ChromiteChromite ManganeseManganese SilverSilver BauxiteBauxite ZincZinc GoldGold IronIron CarbonCarbon

UraniumUranium Magnetic sand / Magnetic sand /

rockrock SulfurSulfur PyritePyrite Asphalt Asphalt CementCement LimestoneLimestone BentoniteBentonite SilicaSilica MarbleMarble GeothermalGeothermal

IV.IV.Mining CompaniesMining Companies Hinatuan Mining Corp. – Manicani, Guiuan, Hinatuan Mining Corp. – Manicani, Guiuan,

Eastern SamarEastern Samar Heritage Resources And Mining Corp.Heritage Resources And Mining Corp.

- Homonhon, Guiuan, - Homonhon, Guiuan, Eastern Eastern SamarSamar

Panapino Mining Corp. – Batag Island, Panapino Mining Corp. – Batag Island, Laoang,Laoang,

Northern SamarNorthern Samar Prism Properties Inc. - Ormoc and Albuera, Prism Properties Inc. - Ormoc and Albuera,

Leyte Leyte BF Mining Corporation - Homonhon, BF Mining Corporation - Homonhon,

Guiuan, Guiuan, Eastern SamarEastern Samar

Oregon Mining Corp. – Gandara, Jiabong, Oregon Mining Corp. – Gandara, Jiabong, Motiong Motiong SamarSamar

Crew Mineral Phils. Inc. – Biliran IslandCrew Mineral Phils. Inc. – Biliran Island Rocky Mountain Aggregates – Sogod, Abuyog,Rocky Mountain Aggregates – Sogod, Abuyog,

Mahaplag LeyteMahaplag Leyte Golden Ore Inc. – Baybay, Mahaplag LeyteGolden Ore Inc. – Baybay, Mahaplag Leyte Vulcan Industrial Mining Corp. – Pintuyan, S. Vulcan Industrial Mining Corp. – Pintuyan, S.

LeyteLeyte Liverpool Mining and Development Corp.Liverpool Mining and Development Corp.

- Gandara, San Jose de Buan Samar- Gandara, San Jose de Buan Samar Eagle Crest Mining and DevelopmentEagle Crest Mining and Development

- Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes E. Samar- Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes E. Samar Cypress Mining and Development Corp.Cypress Mining and Development Corp.

- Llorente, Maydolong, E. Samar- Llorente, Maydolong, E. Samar Bridgestone Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Llorente, Bridgestone Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Llorente,

E. SamarE. Samar

Anaconda Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Llorente, Anaconda Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Llorente, Balangkayan E. Samar and Basey SamarBalangkayan E. Samar and Basey Samar

Olympic Mines and Dev’t Corp. – Gen. MacarthurOlympic Mines and Dev’t Corp. – Gen. Macarthur E. SamarE. Samar

Provenor Mining Corp. – Sulat, Taft E. SamarProvenor Mining Corp. – Sulat, Taft E. Samar All-Acacia Resources Corp. – Balangiga, Llorente,All-Acacia Resources Corp. – Balangiga, Llorente,

Quinapundan, Macarthur E. SamarQuinapundan, Macarthur E. Samar Taal Mineral Resources – Taft, Sulat E. SamarTaal Mineral Resources – Taft, Sulat E. Samar Altai Phils Mining Corp. – Maydolong, Balangiga Altai Phils Mining Corp. – Maydolong, Balangiga

E.SamarE.Samar North Davao Mining Corp – Hinabangan, Whright North Davao Mining Corp – Hinabangan, Whright

Samar and Taft E. SamarSamar and Taft E. Samar

Ruby T. Almaro – Malajog, Calbayog SamarRuby T. Almaro – Malajog, Calbayog Samar Esteban E. Calicoy, Jr. – Balanghiga E. SamarEsteban E. Calicoy, Jr. – Balanghiga E. Samar Olympic Mines and Dev’t Corp. – Borongan, Olympic Mines and Dev’t Corp. – Borongan,

Maydolong, E. SamarMaydolong, E. Samar Hirich Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Matuginao, SamarHirich Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Matuginao, Samar Daytona Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Jiabong, SamarDaytona Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Jiabong, Samar Providence Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Arteche, E. Providence Mining and Dev’t Corp. – Arteche, E.

SamarSamar Alberta resources Dev’t Corp. – Liloan S. LeyteAlberta resources Dev’t Corp. – Liloan S. Leyte Poreschore & Company Inc. – Macrohon, Poreschore & Company Inc. – Macrohon,

Malitbog S. LeyteMalitbog S. Leyte San Christo Exploration Corp. – St. Bernard S. San Christo Exploration Corp. – St. Bernard S.

LeyteLeyte Luvinim Cebu Mining Corp. – Panaon Island, Luvinim Cebu Mining Corp. – Panaon Island,

Liloan SLLiloan SL

V. V. People’s PositionPeople’s Position

Presently, the people of Manicani and Presently, the people of Manicani and Homonhon have organized themselves Homonhon have organized themselves into SAMAMO (Save Manicani into SAMAMO (Save Manicani Movement) with their Parish Priest Fr. Movement) with their Parish Priest Fr. Alex Galo as their leader. They have Alex Galo as their leader. They have organized to protest the environmental organized to protest the environmental destruction and the siltation of the destruction and the siltation of the nearby seas caused by the chromite and nearby seas caused by the chromite and nickel mining operations of HMC and nickel mining operations of HMC and HRDC in their barangays.HRDC in their barangays.

In Batag Island in Laoang N. Samar, In Batag Island in Laoang N. Samar, the Provincial Government, the the Provincial Government, the Municipal Local Government Unit, Municipal Local Government Unit, and the Parish of Laoang are and the Parish of Laoang are vehemently opposed to the vehemently opposed to the impending mining and operations in impending mining and operations in the area. People are calling NO to the area. People are calling NO to the Mining Plan of the Panapino the Mining Plan of the Panapino Mining Corp.Mining Corp.

People in Northern Samar, especially in People in Northern Samar, especially in the Northeast part, are still angry and the Northeast part, are still angry and condemning the government for what condemning the government for what happened to them in the recent past. In happened to them in the recent past. In 1989, the long and wide Catubig River, the 1989, the long and wide Catubig River, the rice granary of the Province of Northern rice granary of the Province of Northern Samar, was inundated or flooded for a Samar, was inundated or flooded for a week because of the large-scale logging in week because of the large-scale logging in the Catubig Valley for almost two decades, the Catubig Valley for almost two decades, causing denudation to a million peso worth causing denudation to a million peso worth of crops and killing 100 people.of crops and killing 100 people.

People along the long Taft River are still People along the long Taft River are still protesting to what happened to their protesting to what happened to their River, which was destroyed and River, which was destroyed and rendered devoid of any marine life by rendered devoid of any marine life by the more than 10 years of mining the more than 10 years of mining operations in Bagacay, Hinabangan, operations in Bagacay, Hinabangan, Samar. The rampaging flood in Panaon Samar. The rampaging flood in Panaon Island inundating the towns of San Island inundating the towns of San Ricardo, San Francisco and Pintuyan, Ricardo, San Francisco and Pintuyan, caused by long years of logging in the caused by long years of logging in the areaarea

The 1991 Ormoc tragedy that many of us can The 1991 Ormoc tragedy that many of us can not forget, for it killed thousands of people not forget, for it killed thousands of people as it destroyed many homes and properties as it destroyed many homes and properties because of the large-scale logging in the because of the large-scale logging in the Ormoc-Albuera area and the conversion of Ormoc-Albuera area and the conversion of the nearby lands into sugarcane plantations. the nearby lands into sugarcane plantations. These have made them vigilant to whatever These have made them vigilant to whatever machinations mining and logging companies machinations mining and logging companies have in the immediate future vis-à-vis their have in the immediate future vis-à-vis their homeland.homeland.

These and a lot more in other parts of These and a lot more in other parts of Samar, Leyte and Biliran are living Samar, Leyte and Biliran are living testimonies to the evil of mining, quarrying testimonies to the evil of mining, quarrying and logging and the subtle stealing of their and logging and the subtle stealing of their natural wealth and patrimonynatural wealth and patrimony

Kinahanglan na kita komo mga Kinahanglan na kita komo mga estudyante ug mga taga Sinirangan estudyante ug mga taga Sinirangan Bisayas na aanhi ha Metro Manila Bisayas na aanhi ha Metro Manila bumaton ha mga isyu nga ginaatubang bumaton ha mga isyu nga ginaatubang han aton rehiyon. Sanglit, dako it han aton rehiyon. Sanglit, dako it panginahanglan na magkaurusa kita panginahanglan na magkaurusa kita ha usa nga hiluag nga katig-oban nga ha usa nga hiluag nga katig-oban nga magseserbe nga boses han rehiyon magseserbe nga boses han rehiyon ngan magpapabagting han lingganay ngan magpapabagting han lingganay han tinuod nga kamutangan.han tinuod nga kamutangan.

Allied OrganizationsAllied Organizations

Friends of Samar and Leyte, Inc. Friends of Samar and Leyte, Inc. (FSL)(FSL)

UGOP WARAYNON (Alliance UGOP WARAYNON (Alliance of Concerned Waraynons in of Concerned Waraynons in Metro Manila for Eastern Metro Manila for Eastern Visayas Issues and Concerns)Visayas Issues and Concerns)

Kalipunan ng Batayang Kalipunan ng Batayang Leyteño at Samareño Leyteño at Samareño (KABLAS) (KABLAS)

Pagkakaisa ng mga Pagkakaisa ng mga Kababaihan ng Samar at Kababaihan ng Samar at Leyte sa Maynila (PKSLM)Leyte sa Maynila (PKSLM)

Pagburublig kita, utro naton Pagburublig kita, utro naton tindogon antindogon anEastern Visayas Youth Eastern Visayas Youth CouncilCouncil

TINGOG HAN KABATAAN…TINGOG HAN KABATAAN…

PAGLAUM HAN SINIRANGAN PAGLAUM HAN SINIRANGAN BISAYASBISAYAS

Damo nga SalamatDamo nga Salamatnganngan

Mainuswagon nga Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tuig!!!Bag-o nga Tuig!!!