Congressional study on mining in Capiz postponed
ROXAS CITY – The House Committee on Natural Resources and Ecology postponed its ocular inspection in Maayon, Capiz yesterday after the members of the committee failed to arrive due to the ongoing polls automation voting in Congress.
Board member Gilbert Ardivilla, who is one of the opponents of mining in Capiz, told The News Today (TNT) that the consultative meeting and ocular inspection scheduled yesterday was postponed since the Congress is not yet on recess.
He said the inspection will be reset to a later date.
It was learned that the House Committee on Natural Resources and Ecology was directed to conduct a consultative meeting and a study by virtue of House Resolution No. 26 authored by 2nd District Congressman Fredenil H. Castro.
The said House Resolution is entitled “Resolution Directing the Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology to conduct a study, in aid of legislation on the cumulative and long-term impact of mining activities in the province of Capiz.”
The committee was supposed to have ocular inspection on March 5 and on March 6 they would have proceeded to Boracay for the same activities then return to Manila by March 7.
Four barangays in Maayon are subject to mining exploration as approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, namely, Barangays Canapian, Guinbialan, Quinabonglan and Tuboran.
It was learned that Belmar A Cabilao, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Ecology; Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) Regional Director Ricardo Calderon and Leo Van Juguan of Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau (MGB) were supposed to be here yesterday.
Earlier, the Capiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution declaring a 50 years moratorium on mining operations in the province.
As consequence of the said resolution Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. issued an Executive Order to stop all processing and approval of the small mining applications in Capiz.
It was also learned that the SP has no jurisdiction over the application of large scale mining that are approved by the national government.