Townsfolk, Guimaras execs junk mining project
An overwhelming "no" summed up yesterday's public hearing that heard planned exploration works of a mining company in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.
With project proponents facing off against townsfolk, barangay, municipal and provincial officials, government planners, experts and representatives of civil society groups, Mayor Alejandro Araneta sealed off any and all offers.
In a phone interview, Mayor Araneta said a resounding objection was gathered from the public who came in response to the call for public hearing. As such, a Petition was immediately drawn with signatories gathered from the oppositors.
Mayor Araneta said a similar move will be done in all 22 barangay councils of Nueva Valencia, the Provincial Board of Guimaras and private organizations present yesterday. Even the academe and the Church, Mayor Araneta added, made clear of its position against the multi-million planned investment of the mining company.
Prevailing sentiments, he continued, was against the exploration works with objections anchored on environmental protection and the ills brought by mining activities.
Target audience of 100 more than tripled with slanders flocking the town hall as early as 7 a.m.
The main issue at hand was the mining application for Gold, Copper and other mineral resources of Fil-Asian Strategic Resources and Properties Corporation covering over 2,400 hectares in land area.
The hearing went on for about 4 hours with the mayor deciding that to call it a day by noon given the clear "no" of the majority present.
To recall, a Notice of Application was sent last month by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to Mayor Araneta. As such, pursuant to a DENR administrative order, corresponding notices were asked to be sent out primarily on the affected barangays.
TNT gathered that exploration as planned yet now junked would have been in territorial areas of barangays Napandong, Sto. Domingo, Lucmayan, San Roque, Salvacion, Lapaz, Cabalagnan, Canhawan and Igdarapdap.
Stories have since abound on the untapped presence of Gold throughout the island-province yet it was to be the first time since a major exploration came up.
Extent of the planned exploration is research work, regional survey, detailed and semi-detailed survey and sub-surface investigation.
The big no was likewise anchored on Nueva Valencia's thrust towards agri-tourism. Further still, are gnawing concerns on the island-province's location within a faultline.