Monday, June 02, 2008 Kibungan folk remain opposed to mine exploration By Jane Cadalig
INDIGENOUS peoples in Kibungan are firmly against the conduct of mining activities saying these will lead to the destruction of their environment.
Councilor Arturo Collado raised this apprehension over the persistence of a mining firm to conduct an exploration in Barangay Lubo, even with the strong objection from the community.
Collado, who is the barangay leader of Lubo, is seeking the help of concerned agencies to put a stop to activities that he believes will eventually lead to the operation of mining in the village.
He said the Almagan Mining Company is resolute in pursuing its exploration, despite the community's objection. Community members fear mining will remove the village from the municipality's map.
"There was no free-prior-informed-consent given to the company, so it should stop its exploration," the councilor said, alleging that company personnel recently went to the area to pursue their exploration efforts.
Villagers of Lubo have opposed the conduct of mining exploration in the area because they fear the depletion of their water sources and destruction of their environment.
The mining firm first manifested intent to explore Lubo, host to the former Western Minolco Mines, last year, but this earned for the company the ire of indigenous peoples living in the area.
Collado, president of the Association of Barangay Councils of the town, said the past Western Minolco operations depleted the source of water of the village.
Mining operation in Lubo will not only affect the more than 400 families in the village but also parts of Kapangan, Atok and Ilocos Sur, Collado claimed.
