DENR's Lopez eyes meeting with Negros CPP/NPA leader

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 26): DENR's Lopez eyes meeting with Negros CPP/NPA leader

Environment Secretary Regina Paz Lopez wants to meet with the leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA) in Negros.

Lopez is asking Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, who is a consultant of the CPP/NPA/ National Democratic Front peace panel, to facilitate the meeting with Frank Fernandez, the Negros leader of the group .

Lopez has reiterated her pronouncements to work with the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines to protect the environment, adding if social justice on the ground would be addressed there won't be any fighting.

“Maraming pera ang gobyerno, gamitin natin sa mabuting paraan” (the government has plenty of money; let's use it wisely), she explained Tuesday afternoon during her visit here.

Ocampo joined Lopez on her visits to Basay and Sipalay in southern Negros to inspect the state of two mining sites there.

For his part, Ocampo told reporters members of the Commission on Appointments should forget about their personal and economic interests and consider the welfare of the country.

He said Lopez had the background and experience in addressing poverty through care of the environment, especially on the impact of mining.

Ocampo further said the NPAs have been guardians of the our natural resources but the intrusion of mining have driven them out from their respective areas.

Lopez said that when the poor suffers the most with the destruction of the environment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/982673