Thursday, November 27, 2008 Mayor to reconcile conflicting stands over Royalco
BAKUN Mayor Marcelo Contada said he did not issue any endorsement to the exploration project of mining firm Royalco Philippines, contrary to the claim by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
Royalco was issued a certificate of pre-condition by the NCIP, following the consent given by the affected communities in Barangay Gambang.
According to Contada, the Municipal Government has left the decision to the people on whether or not to allow the plan.
"We left the decision to the people. Our stand was to let them make the decision. If they allow the project, then we would go with them, if they don't then it's their decision," he said.
The mayor met with his constituents last Wednesday, particularly those who are raising objections against the mining exploration, to discuss their concerns.
"We want to reconcile the conflicting stands of our people," he said.
Royalco's mining exploration project in Gambang was endorsed by the council of elders in the village. A memorandum of agreement has been signed among the company, the NCIP and the community, but oppositionists surfaced after the signing.
The NCIP clarified it issued the certificate after going through the process, including the Free Prior Informed Consent where the indigenous people's approval to the project is a must.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued the permit, using as basis the NCIP certification.
Mayor Contada said another round of consultation is needed so the local government could settle the contradictions among the people.
Earlier, the barangay chairman of Gambang asked the MGB to conduct a ground survey in the village to determine the families that are actually affected by the mining exploration. (JC)
