Manicani Island

Manicani
Geography
Location Leyte Gulf
Country
Demographics
Population 3,000

Manicani is a small island in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines. The local governing body is the municipality of Guiuan. Its 3,000 residents live in four fishing villages: San Jose, Banaag Hamorawon and Buenavista. Housing and construction is mostly simple bamboo huts without power or plumbing.

Location and geography

Manicani is located in the Leyte Gulf.

History

Second World War

During the second world war the US Navy transformed Manicani into a major naval repair facility. It was built to carry out maintenance and repairs to any of the ships in the fleet. The facility included housing for 10,000 people, a mess hall, shops, administration buildings, and an outdoor movie theater. In addition, the ABSD was brought to Manicani. Upon leaving Manicani, all buildings and utilities were dismantled and removed by US Navy personal.[1]

Typhoon Yolanda

Manicani Island suffered a direct hit from Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as "Yolanda"). Almost every home was obliterated including a church with 42 people taking refuge inside. Contrary to media reports the island was not evacuated. Many spent the majority of the storm without shelter. It took more than a week for aid to reach Manicani.[2]

Manicani Mine

The Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) acquired the rights to the Manicani site in 1987, with the first recorded commercial shipments from the mine coming in 1992. HMC ceased operations in 1994 due to falling nickel prices.[3] In 2001, despite fierce local opposition, mining resumed. In May 2001 protesting locals clashed with HMC. A Manicani local and two others were seriously wounded when a vehicle rammed the picket lines.[4][5] Due to the destruction of the delicate ecosystem the HMC was issued a suspension order; this also occurred in 2001.[6]

In 2005 HMC was granted a permit to remove stockpiles. Allegations of human rights abuses arose when 70 protesters were violently dispersed by police.[7] In June 2012 one of Nickle Asia other subsidiarys Samar Nickel Resource Corp, filed criminal charges when members of an anti-mining group blockaded the port to stop delivery of a vehicle meant to transport school kids around the island.[8]

Effects of mining

The style of mining used on Manicani has been outlawed in many countries due to the devastating ecological effects.

“Manicani Island nickel mining has reduced the amount of land available to farmers and siltation into the ocean has adversely impacted fishing; before mining, agriculture and aquaculture could sustain the people of Manicani Island but now they have been made poorer” - Journal of Geography and Geology; Vol. 5, No. 4; 2013[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chapter XXIX Bases in the Philippines". Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Why Typhoon Haiyan Caused So Much Damage". NPR. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Nickel Asia Corporation Annual Report" (PDF). 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Truck plows through human barricade, 1 dead, 1 hurt". Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Fears of a further massacre in the Philippines". Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Walk the talk on anti-mining stance, pols urged | Pacific Times
  7. ↑ "DOCUMENTED CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS" (DOC). Citizens’ Council for Human Rights. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Mining firm to file raps vs Manicani residents". SunStar Tacloban. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Journal of Geography and Geology; Vol. 5, No. 4; 2013

Coordinates: 11°00′N 125°38′E / 11.000°N 125.633°E