Itogon exec calls for investors

ITOGON, Benguet – Despite the ill effects of mining to the environment, a top local official still urges other mining patrons to invest in this town known as the “land of golden opportunities.”

Mayor Oscar Camantiles appealed with businessmen to discover the potentials of Itogon. He said they will still welcome mining companies to explore their minerals.

However, he said these mining companies should meet first his two conditions before allowing them to mine their natural resources: social acceptability of the project and practice of responsible mining.

In 2012, Camantiles said Philex Mining Corporation and SN Aboitiz paid the highest taxes to the local government unit and these augmented the limited income of the town.

As an advantageous after–effect of the Executive Order (EO) 79, Camantiles said some mining companies like Itogon Suyoc Resources and the Benguet Corporation returned recently to the town to continue their mining operation.

EO 79 institutionalizes and implements reforms in the country’s mining sector providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources.

At present, various tourism activities will soon be held but the town lacks accommodation facilities to cater to tourists and even local residents.

Several history–making tourism activities were held in town like the skyrunning and various mountain climbing. Camantiles said room accommodation had been a problem.

With this, the local chief executive also encouraged businessmen who want to put up hotels, resorts, and restaurants in the urban areas to try putting up in the municipality.

The town houses various tourism spots that are worth visiting like the Kalumbas Falls, Mt. Pigingan located in Barangay Dalupirip, Japanese trail that was used during World War II, and the Ave Maria Shrine which is an existing area set up by Belgian missionaries, among others.