Mining exists in Capiz despite moratorium
ROXAS CITY – A former board member claimed that mining operations continue to exist in the province of Capiz despite the 15-20 years moratorium on large-scale mining which was embodied in a resolution passed in 2002.
Former Board Member Henry Reyes, 2nd district of Capiz, said the government failed to regulate mining operations in Capiz.
"It even became worse and has resulted to corruption he said," Reyes said.
SP Ordinance No. 001 series of 2002 which granted 15-50 years moratorium on the large-scale mining operation in Capiz was passed by Reyes' late brother Board Member Gaudencio Reyes who was then chair of the committee on environment and natural resources..
Reyes, who is a practicing lawyer, replaced and assume the unfinished term of his brother Gaudencio when the latter died on 2006 until May 2007.
"I'm not pro or against mining but for responsible mining;me and my late brother were not of the same stand on mining," Reyes said.
According to him, there are so many cities that became progressive due to mining.
"Mining is not bad per se but corruption," he added.
Last Friday, Board Member Rommel Lastimoso, chair of committee on environment and natural resources, said that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has no jurisdiction over the large scale mining operation.
Lastimoso said it is the national government that has jurisdiction over large-scale mining.
Lastimoso, chair of committee on environment and national resources, said that the provincial government will have to draft regulation for small-scale mining in Capiz.
It was learned that under the Mining Act, the national government is openly allowing mining companies to conduct mining operations in the whole Philippines provided it has acceptance from the locality.