21
left the Philippines in 1992, which tremendously affected the water system
and caused health problems to the residents of the area due to
contaminations of drinking water by heavy metals, such as mercury and
nitrates.77 The Honorable Commission, at that time, did not shy away from
its constitutional duty; thus, it conducted investigations over the said
complaints, prepared reports, and referred the matter to the appropriate
agencies for action.78
2.45. Another pertinent case is In Re: Displacement Complaint of
Residents of Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya,79 which involves large-scale
mining operations of a foreign-owned company in the Philippines. The
Honorable Commission did not think twice in taking cognizance of the case.
The Honorable Commission, in the same case, even unanimously resolved
to:
“1. Recommend to the government under the new
administration to look into the issues presented herein and
consider the probable withdrawal of the FTAA granted to
the foreign company in view of the gross violations of
human rights it has committed;
2. Require all concerned agencies, particularly the NCIP,
the DENR-MGC, the PNP and the AFP, to submit reports
to the Commission on Human Rights regarding concrete
actions they have taken to respect, protect and fulfill the
rights of the affected community in Didipio, within 30 days
from receipt of this resolution;
3. Request the same agencies to continue monitoring the
human rights situation in Didipio with the view in mind that
all reports of violations be verified and acted upon;
4. Advise the OGPI to consider the findings above and
conduct a policy re-orientation on the conduct of mining
operation taking into conscious account the observance of
human rights of the community involved;
5. Direct the CHR Region II to actively advocate for the
human rights of the affected community and to take every
step possible to avoid the occurrence of further violence
and oppression.”80
2.46. Notably, this Honorable Commission has established a Center
for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which serves as the focal point
for all programs, activities, and projects of the Commission in relation to
77
CHR Mandate over Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Id., p. 7.
supra., note 77.
79
CHR-H-2008-0055 (SPL. Report), available at http://198.23.173.74/chr/wp-content/uploads/Reso-2011004-Displacement-Complaint-of-Didipio-Nueva-Vizcaya-–-Jan-10-2014.pdf, last accessed on 13 January
2017.
80
supra., note 79.
78
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