[asia-apec 414] announcement

[rverzola]

PHILIPPINE GREENS' FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON NOV. 29-30

The Philippine Greens are glad to announce their First General
Assembly on November 29-30, 1997, in Quezon City. The assembly will
discuss and approve the vision, framework of analysis, program of
action and constitution of the Philippine Greens. This is a historic
moment, because it marks the rise in the Philippines of a new
political formation that combines socio-ecological advocacy, political
activism, a comprehensive program, and the Green worldview.

The Philippine Greens have actually begun their activities months
before this First General Assembly.

They held their first discussions in July 1996, and issued the
document "A Manifesto of Philippine Greens" on November 30, 1996.
Throughout the first half of 1997, they held a series of study
workshops for prospective members. On July 9, about 100 members and
supporters picketed an international conference of mining executives
held at the World Trade Center in Manila. Last September 19-21, the
Greens held a three-day fast at the Shrine for Heroes, to recall the
25th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines,
and to honor those who died fighting the Marcos dictatorship. On
November 24, the Greens co-organized with their local counterpart, the
Community Volunteers Movement (CVM), a rally in Baguio City, the urban
heart of the Philippines' northern indigenous region, to support the
struggle of indigenous tribes against mining within their ancestral
lands. This was quickly followed by another rally on November 26,
together with the newly-formed Mine Watch Philippines, in front of the
main office in Manila of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), the government office that has been granting mining
permits to foreign companies. Mine Watch Philippines is a coalition of
indigenous groups, farmers, fisherfolk, and support organizations who
are campaigning against corporate mining in the Philippines.

The Philippine Greens will welcome messages of greetings or support,
on the occasion of their First General Assembly, from like-minded
groups and individuals. Please address your message to
greenfm at phil.gn.apc.org or fax it to (63-2) 922-4397.

Thank you very much.

Roberto Verzola
Organizing Committee
First General Assembly of the Philippine Greens