Surge of Resistance: Coal Resistance March in Mindanao

Sweet Sweat! Sounds alike words to describe the feelings of the more than 150 permanent walkers and thousands more walkers along the way who joined municipality to municipality from Lala, Lanao del Norte to Iligan City.

The 5-day 92KM Coal Resistance Walk aimed to mobilize movements and organizations to support the resistance; engage local government units to pass resolutions and or ordinances supporting the campaign; and to show to the world that there are resistance against the destructive coal projects.

Inspired by the experiences of the communities affected by the projects in (300MW CFPP) Pulot, Ozamis City; (540MW CFPP) Libertad, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; and (20MW CFPP) Kiwalan, Iligan City marchers took the long road.

Climate Walkers were received by social and faith-based organizations along the road with thumbs up, support streamers, food and refreshments, cheers, waving flags and others have joined the walk to a certain stop.

The walk also has stops at night in Kolambugan, Maigo, Kauswagan and Iligan.

Some municipal executives and legislators received the marchers and at the Provincial Capitol in Tubod, it has been known that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have passed a resolution to cancel GNPower’s ECC.
Solidarity performances by cultural groups and performers add more power to the marchers and the overwhelming support from the communities along the way.

The walk also received insults and oppositions specially those who are trapped with their support to local politicians. Masked men introduced themselves as government intelligence agents also tried to harass the marchers but the other way around happened.

The walk was participated by activists from Lanao del Norte, Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, Ozamis City, Caraga Region, Maguindanao province, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur and joined by an international student from Brazil.

Now, the Resistance is surging and organizations who received and joined the walkers committed to go on with the battle opposing the coal projects in the region.

It was noticeable that more than 80% of the marchers were women and not less than 70% were young people. Indeed, there is a hope in this struggle – from the peasantry, urban and rural poor, fisher folks, development works, faith-based organizations, disaster survivors, Bangsamoro, Indigenous People.
“We will never be tired of defending our communities and our environment,” Aya said, one of the marchers.

To walk through from Lanao del Norte to Iligan City, the Coal Resistance March (Lala to Iligan City) is the second time since 1985 – the People’s Exodus (Kapatagan to Iligan City) against the Martial Rule (dictatorship time). – LMK-Ranao. 27 July 2015

photos: from Coal Resistance Movement FB Page