Solons support on Guimaras' fight vs mining sought
Congressmen have urged the House of Representatives to support the stand of officials and residents of Guimaras Island against mining operations on the island-province.
House Resolution 841 filed on October 10 calls for the chamber to support the opposition of Guimarasnons against the entry and operations of mining companies.
The resolution was sponsored by Guimaras Rep. JC Rahman Nava, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.
In the resolution, the congressmen cited the island as rich in natural resources and one of the pristine popular tourist destinations in the country.
It said the island is well-known for its export quality mangoes with around 250,000 mango planted all over the island.
"The varieties of mango produced on the island are among the sweetest in the world and are best for making dried mangoes, jam and other delicacies," according to the resolution.
The congressmen also pointed out that the island's tourism potential lies on its pristine beaches and environment which is still recovering from the devastation of the massive oil spill two years ago.
The oil spill was triggered after the M/T Solar I sank off the coast of the island on August 11, 2006 amid rough seas and spilling around 2.1 million liters of bunker fuel. The spill contaminated marine resources and dislocated thousands of residents dependent on fishing.
The congressmen said the island's tourism potential, rich biodiversity and livelihood of the people are in danger because of pending mining applications.
Guimaras Gov. Felipe Nava earlier said that 65 percent of the island or around 37,000 hectares are covered by three applications for mining. These covers 22 villages in Nueva Vaelencia town, 13 in Sibunag, 12 in San Lorenzo, six in Buenavista and five in the capital town of Jordan.
The coverage of mining permit applications range from 2,000 to 30,000 hectares.
Years back, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had approved the application for a mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) of Dorilag Cement Corporation which covers 1,794.60 hectares in the towns of Jordan and Buenavista. But this has failed to operate because of the opposition of the local government.
One mining company alone, the Fil-Asian Strategic Resources and Properties Corp. (FASRPC), a subsidiary of the Australia-based Rusina Mining NL, plans to conduct exploration for gold and copper deposits in a 2,400-hectare area covering nine of the 20 villages of Nueva Valencia.
There are two pending applications for exploration permits covering 32,179 hectares in the towns of Jordan, Sibunag, Nueva Valencia and San Lorenzo.
Global Philippine Mining and Development Corporation and Next Generation and Development Corporation are interested in exploring possible deposits of minerals including iron, copper and gold.
The proposed resolution also supports the "Spare Guimaras" campaign launched by the provincial government and other sectors to oppose the mining operations.
Various stakeholders including non-government organizations and religious groups have launched a signature campaign calling on the DENR to reject mining applications on the island.
The DENR had said that it will consider the sentiments of Guimarasnons but it has yet to issue a categorical statement blocking any application.
The officials and residents fear that the mining operations will cause environmental and health hazards.
They said mining operations will endanger the the University of the Philippines in the Visayas marine biological station and the 1,143-hectare Taklong Island National Marine Reserve in Nueva Valencia town and other neighboring rich fishing in Iloilo and Negros Occidental.