Pro-, anti-mining groups clash in congressional consultation
MAAYON, Capiz – Pro and anti-mining advocates have engaged in a heated argument during the congressional consultation on mining held in this town on Thursday afternoon.
The consultation was attended by Cong. Belma Bilao of Zamboanga and Cong. Javier Colmenares of Bayan Muna, all members of committee on Ecology of 14th Congress as well provincial and municipal officials of Capiz.
The heated argument ensued after anti-mining advocates accused pro-mining of having received substantial amount from Teresa Marble Corporation as bribe money and manipulated resolutions for allowing miners to have explorations in some barangays of this town.
Sangguniang Bayan Member (SB) Villamor Barruela said that he wondered why the resolution on pro mining exploration was passed when in reality five councilors were against it while only four were pro-mining.
Vice Mayor Wilfredo Borres of this town strongly denied he received one million pesos as bribery money from Teresa Marble Corp.
“I did not receive money even a single centavo from Teresa Marble Corporation,” Borres said in a radio interview.
Meanwhile, Canapian Brgy. Captain Allan Lucas admitted that Teresa Marble Corporation gave their barangay some materials, but not cash, such as chapel roofing and marble which benefited to the barangay.
Mayor Belegio Dueñas, for his part, said that “if mining will benefit the people so be it.”
Meanwhile, Liga President Nimfa Madamba clarified that she never signed the resolution for exploration since the said resolution was not deliberated during the session.
Madamba, who called the resolution as fictitious, also said that three out of 31 barangay chiefs, including her, did not sign the resolution.
She got irked when Tuburan Brgy. Captain Edgar Magallanes, who is pro-exploration, called her an old woman.
The congressional inquiry was conducted by virtue of House Bill No. 29 entitled “Resolution directing the committee on ecology to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the cumulative and long-term impact of mining activities in the province of Capiz”, authored by 2nd District Cong. Fredenil H. Castro.