Communities have final decision on allowing mining operations

TACLOBAN CITY – “I am not totally opposing it,” An Waray Representative Florencio “Bem” Noel said when asked on what is his stand on the application for mining operations in the region.

Although he does not oppose to any mining operations, Noel stressed that the government including the community should be vigilant and regularly check whether mining companies are following the pertinent provisions of the law that allows them to conduct their operations and whether they are doing responsible mining.

Noel pointed out the concern that Samar residents are showing when it comes to mining operations.

“If we visit Samar Island and we talk about mining, they are really opposed to it,” said Noel.

Mining operations in Samar concentrates in the province of Eastern Samar where the islands of Homonhon and Manicani, both in Guiuan, are among the areas where mining operations exists.

In the two islands, Manicani mining operations, which is under the Nickel Asia Corporation, is currently in the stage of rehabilitation process as NAC is still waiting for the mining permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Their application for resumption of operation is supported by a resolution from the residents and officials from the four barangays located in said island and by the PAMB, while mining operation in the island of Homonhon has an on-going case in court against the provincial government of Eastern Samar.

Aside from said locations, there are also mining operations in said province but classified as small-scale-mining operations like in the municipality of Salcedo.

Here in Leyte, a number of mining exploration applications were also submitted to the office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau by different mining companies planning to conduct mineral explorations.

Mostly, black sand or magnetite sand was the main subject of applications for exploration permits.

Last year, the MGB regional office had a rift with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan due to cases of mining permit applications approved by the MGB as said agency has failed to conduct prior consultation with the members of the provincial board before they issued such permit.

The Nicua Mining Corporation operating in the municipality of Macarthur was the most controversial case, where said company was able to conduct full-blown mining operation without securing a resolution interposing no objection from the members of the provincial board.

Due to said problem, the members of the provincial had passed a resolution banning off-shore mining operations in the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Leyte.

At present, there are still application by mining companies to operate in the provice of Leyte but said appliation are more on mineral explorations.

“I the application is only for exploration, may be we should allow them, granting that his activity will not damage our environment,” said Noel.

However, Noel stressed that even if the local officials in their locality and in the province are not opposing mineral explorations or mining operations, the decision of the affected people should rule.

“In the end, it is still the community who will decide whether they will allow these companies to operate in their area,” Noel said.

“If during consultation, people are opposed to mining operations, their decision should prevail,” he stressed.