TACLOBAN CITY – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Leyte chapter had already made a decision on the issue of mining operation in the province, according to Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla in the weekly press forum “Express it at the Park” held at the Leyte Park Resort Hotel.
The decision, according to Petilla, is “no to off-shore mining” but made a reservation to “on-shore mining”.
Petilla said that off-shore mining would mean destruction of natural seabed where marine life lives and the source of livelihood among fisher folks along the eastern seaboard of the province including those living in Samar.
Although it was unanimously agreed by the members of the mayors league through a resolution to oppose off-shore mining, Petilla said that in the case of on-shore mining, their group had decided to support only those who can provide and secure that rehabilitation would be done while they are conducting mining operation.
“Minerals that are extracted are also important and in a way we need to support mining companies but we only need to support those who are into responsible mining,” the lady mayor said.
Aside from the resolution of the municipal mayors in the province, Petilla said that in the group composed of members from the Alliance of Local Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Development Council (ALFARMDC) had also made a stand not to allow off-shore mining in the areas covered by their group.
ALFARM was founded on March 23, 2010 and assisted by the German International Cooperation to protect the Leyte Gulf and re-establish a former successful fishery in the area.
It is composed of Tacloban City, municipalities of Marabut and Basey in the province of Samar and municipalities in the province of Leyte.
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