Saturday, August 18, 2007 Dialogue between Philex, community reaches deadlock
COMMUNITIES opposed to the continued operation of Philex Mining Corporation on Friday held a picket at its open pit after their dialogue on Monday failed.
The picket was dispersed shortly after noon but residents are prepared in filing a petition for injunction at the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to compel the mining firm from complying with the July 30 letter of NCIP Regional Director Amador Batay-an, who said Philex has to stop operation because of its failure to obtain a free prior and informed consent (FPIC), a condition for it to continue operation as contained in its special permit issued early this year.
The dialogue failed following conflict on where to hold the meet.
Affected residents as well as the NCIP proceeded to the open pit site while Philex representatives and some officials of the barangay were at the Sunken Garden located near the company's office.
As per the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, NCIP Legal Officer Severino Lumiqued said it is the community who should choose where to hold a dialogue.
Due to the inclement weather, Philex begged off and asked that the dialogue be held at the Sunken Garden, which the residents opposed.
Victor Francisco, Philex manager for Corporate Environment and Community Relations, went to the open pit site to convince the residents to proceed to the Sunken Garden because the equipment for the power point presentation could not be brought at the site due to heavy rains and fog.
The open pit is about 800 meters away from the Sunken Garden.
Francisco failed to convince the residents. He ended up listening to the clamor of the residents who accused the company of employing delaying tactics for sending representatives who could not decide on their complaints and who is not familiar with the issues at hand.
Francisco's inability to speak and understand Ilocano also did not escape their ire because the village elders could not understand the things that he was explaining to them.
Ilocano is the prevailing language in Cordillera aside from the native language spoken by indigenous peoples like Kankanaey and Ibaloi.
During the "confrontation," the residents said they are open to another dialogue with the company on condition that they stop operation for the meantime.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Neoman dela Cruz said the resolution of the issue would not be up to the NCIP.
Although former environment secretary Angelo Reyes issued a memorandum last July that Philex could continue operation as it is complying with some of the conditions stated in the special permit, dela Cruz said an FPIC is essential for the company to continue operation.
Dela Cruz however admitted that the demand for Philex to stop operation would result in displacement of its workers and their dependents.
Stoppage would also affect the country's economy, dela Cruz explained, Philex being one of the leading gold, silver and copper producers in Asia.
Reporters tried to get Philex's comment through Francisco but he declined.
In its press statement, Philex stressed their permit still exists and they are continuing to employ means to obtain an FPIC. (RO)
