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Sunday, June 27, 2004
DENR plans geo-hazard mapping in Itogon
THE DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau has asked the support of incoming members of the local government unit for its plan to undertake geo-hazard mapping in Itogon.
In a public hearing initiated by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources council headed by Vice-Mayor Aloysious Kato, MGB Regional Director Neoman dela Cruz made the appeal, saying this undertaking is meant to compliment efforts of the integrated watershed management project.
He also affirmed the position of the LGU that mined-out or idle areas should be awarded to occupants.
In previous public hearings, the MENRC, through the lands committee chaired by Engr. Lomino Kaniteng, pushed for the turnover of idle mined-out areas to the state, particularly those presently occupied, adding, "There is no such thing as absolute ownership."
It can be recalled that Itogon residents petitioned the agency to revoke idle built-up mining claims in their favor.
This move, which was supported by the local council, warranted the endorsement of the San Roque Multi-purpose project.
Based on the inventory of built-up areas within mineral claims in seven barangays, there are 4,716 affected household occupying a combined area of 1,713 hectares.
This figure represents 28 percent of the total mining areas in this town out of the combined area of more or less 6,000 hectares.
The MENRC earlier claimed that of the total 44,973 hectare-coverage of Itogon, 80 percent comprising the biggest portion is classified as timber / forest measuring 36,289 hectares; 13.5 % or 6,083 hectares as mining areas and only 3.18 % as alienable and disposable or an equivalent of 1,430 hectares.
MGB's report showed that mining claims are either in the form of lease with approved production mineral applications (APSA) or patented.
The number of claims under lease with APSA is pegged at 183 while those patented numbers to 52 for combined mining claims of 235. Only Barangays Tinongdan and Dalupirip are covered by mining claims, which subsequently are declared as ancestral domains by the local council early this month.
"Leased mining claims determined to be mined out but are inactive and are already built-up areas should be segregated from the holding of these mine companies considering there are already close to mining as per sections 15, A.3 of Department Order 96-40," Dela Cruz said.
Meanwhile, Itogon Mayor Mario Godio hailed efforts of the local council in coming with the amended CLUP saying that while "we may not see the result in the immediate future, the way to a milestone of accomplishment starts from a single step. And this is the first of it."
Godio, on the other hand, scored the lack of recognition by mining companies of occupants within built-up areas of their claims.
This stemmed from a request from the MENRC during the February consultation from mining companies to submit their respective land use plans for integration in the draft amended CLUP.
"It's either they don't understand it (request) or refused to understand," Godio said.
Barangay Gumatdang residents were surprised to find out that not a single residential unit was mapped in the LUP of Omico Mining Corporation.
(June 27, 2004 issue)
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