The Philippine Online Chronicles

Two days before he died, Dr. Gerry Ortega was with his colleagues at the ABS-CBN Foundation planning the 10-million signature campaign to stop mining in Palawan. They ended the meeting by singing “The Impossible Dream.” The lyrics had been a portent of things to come: “And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest/That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest/And the world will be better for this/That one man scorned and covered with scars/Still strove with his last ounce of courage.”

On January 24, 2011, Dr. Gerry Ortega, wildlife veterinarian, broadcaster, and outspoken critic of mining operations in Palawan, was shot dead at 10:30 AM while rummaging through a pile of used clothes at a public market. His loss has put thousands of people in denial, anger, and grief.

With the joint forces of local government of Puerto Princesa and ABS-CBN Foundation, several men have already been charged for murder. Mayor Edward Hagedorn has pledged his commitment: “Makakasuhan ang lahat ng may kinalaman dito, hanggang sa mastermind.” ABS-CBN and Doc Gerry’s friends in the media have made sure that his story, his death, and his cause are all over the news. He may have been silenced, but his advocacy is making more noise than ever before. You see, Doc Gerry didn’t just die. He was killed. He was murdered. There is a big difference.

The articles on Doc Gerry contain numbers. Lots of numbers. Statistics say that he was the 142nd journalist slain since 1986. The 2nd one from Palawan. The 37th environmentalist killed since 2001. These figures indicate that the people on the other side are running out of arguments. Their desperation has led them to end lives of those they consider threats.

While we’re at it, let’s bring out some more numbers:

Palawan has been touted as the country’s last frontier. It holds 17 key biodiversity areas, which are sites of global significance for biodiversity conservation. By protecting Palawan, we not only protect the Philippines, but the entire planet. The island is also home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Tubbataha Reefs and the Underground River. It contains 81% of the known sea grass species of the country, 82% of the total coral species of the country, and 40% of the remaining mangroves in the country. However, its abundant natural resources are extremely fragile due to its narrow shape and thin layer of topsoil prone to erosion. This makes Palawan highly unfit for mining.

And yet, as of 2008, there were over 350 applications for the Mineral Exploration, Mineral Production Sharing Agreement, and the Small Scale Mining Permit. The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), of which the incumbent governor is the chair of, has been rezoning areas to accommodate these applications. I’m not sure what their definition of development is, but at the rate it is handing out mining licenses, the D in PCSD could easily be replaced with a more fitting d-word: Destruction. Old-growth forests are being cut down, and water sources and soil are being polluted. There are abandoned pits during explorations, which are hazardous to both humans and wildlife. Mining has not improved the lives of the local and indigenous Filipinos, and it has not proven to be an anti-poverty solution. It has only promoted a culture of death—death of the trees, animals, fresh air, clean water, and now, humans.

Doc Gerry’s entire career has been grounded on promoting a culture of life. He was living proof that we didn’t need to destroy the environment in order to benefit from it. Puerto Princesa’s main source of income is tourism. Doc Gerry helped establish ecotourism sites in the province, such as the Ugong Rock Caving and Zip Line and Firefly Watching at the Iwahig River among others. His personal definition of development involved the providing livelihood for the community. The locals weren’t just hired, they owned the project.

Let’s add one more number to that list: ten million. Ten million signatures to send one clear message: no to mining in Palawan. “Nothing can stand in the way of a people united for a noble cause,” believes Doc Gerry’s boss and ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Gina Lopez. President Aquino has already signed an Executive Order for a log ban. He won’t be able to say no to ten million people asking for a moratorium on mining in Palawan.

Justice for Doc Gerry Ortega doesn’t end at putting those responsible for his murder in jail. True justice will only be served if his “impossible dream” to protect Palawan happens. Then, and only then, will Doc Gerry’s death not be in vain. If anything, it has only ignited the fire of collective will to advance the cause that he stood for, fought for, and for which he paid the highest price — his life. His loss has caused the environmental movement to stumble and fall, but it will also cause its rise to greater heights. Ten million people saying no to mining will break down Doc Gerry’s “impossible” dream to “I’m possible.”The country’s last frontier will NOT be a lost frontier.

To sign, please visit the Save Palawan Movement website. Fill in the blank spaces for your full name, location, contact number and click Submit. Share the link on Facebook and Twitter. You can also download the signature form, print it out, tell your friends and family about the campaign, and get them to sign the sheet. Upon completion of the sheet, you may fax it to 415-2227 or send as scanned image to signatures@no2mininginpalawan.com.

Photo: “Coron Palawan Highlights - DAY 3” by Thots Urpiana, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved