Guimaras says no to large-scale mining
As motorized outriggers ferrying passengers from nearby Iloilo City prepare to dock at the wharf of the Guimaras provincial capital of Jordan, one’s eyes are easily drawn to two banners boldly announcing “No To Large-Scale Mining!”
As if to send a stern message to mining operators, inhabitants of the mango-rich province of Guimaras have remained staunchly opposed to propositions by several mining firms to explore roughly 90 percent of the island for presence of mineral deposits such as manganese and gold.
Deindfield Gange, the youthful Executive Assistant to Governor Felipe Nava did not mince his words when he said that the people of Guimaras, from the top echelon down to the lowly fishermen are holding together to show to the world their antipathy to suggestions that the island of Guimaras, more or less the size of Singapore, is a remarkable mining prospect.
According to Gange, there is a continuing flurry of information dissemination spearheaded by brothers Gov. Felipe Nava and Congressman Rahman Nava at the grassroots level to counter probable underhand moves by mining firms which may try to dangle “attractive financial packages” before an unwitting populace, and thus, undermining the resolve of Guimarasnons to make their province “perpetually mining-free.”
Gange explicitly referred to a town in Marinduque as a perfect example of ecological desolation blamed on mining activities.
He pointed out that rivers in Marinduque are now flowing with life-threatening, toxic chemicals. “Marine life has disappeared from its rivers, and certainly we do not want it to happen to our own waterways,” Gange declared.
As a parting shot, Gange echoed these words: “On a long term basis, mining offers little economic value to the citizens. Once the deposits are depleted, you are left holding the empty bag,” he asserted.
“The people of Guimaras will fight tooth and nail to prevent large-scale mining from taking a foothold on their beloved province,” Gange said. (PNA)
