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Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Opol town opposes mining firm entry
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
THE Municipality of Opol opposed the application of a huge multi-national mining company for an exploration permit within their town even as the Provincial Board of Misamis Oriental Tuesday merely shelved their resolution.
This same global mining company also seeks to explore not just Opol but also the towns of Naawan and Manticao, Misamis Oriental covering about an area of 13,954 hectares.
Opol mayor Dixson Yasay and his Municipal Board led by Vice-mayor Jeaneth Seriña wrote Vice Governor Julio Uy regarding their opposition on the granting of exploration permit to Hennesy Global Corporation within their jurisdiction.
The resolution states that the Municipal Board-Opol received a letter from the Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 10 on a notice of application of Hennesy Global Mining Corporation for exploration permit designated as EXPA-000047-X located in the municipalities of Opol, Naawan and Manticao, Misamis Oriental covering an area of about 13,954 hectares.
It cited how they issued a resolution to "Hold in Abeyance any Application to Install, Construct and Operate a Cell Site and Granting of Social Acceptability to a Mining Concession Anywhere within the Jurisdiction of the Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental."
The Municipal Board also enumerated the following as their reasons for opposing the application for exploration permit of this global firm as presented by Opol municipal board member Romulo Ebonia.
This includes the environmental concerns, an ordinance has been drafted to cover applications for small-scale mining and Minahan ng Bayan only and prioritize employment of hinterland residents.
Also, the legislative body said the applicant company has the following violations of existing mining laws: a) illegal mining and illegal transport of mineral products; and b) illegal withdrawal of apprehended one unit violet -colored FUSO Canter Mini Truck registered under one Caroline Cagang with address in Cebu City and driven by a certain Camelit Arni Camacho, loaded with illegally extracted chromite from Awang.
But during the regular session Tuesday, the letter opposing the granting of permit to this mining firm was not given much importance.
But after the letter with the board's resolution was read, Opol resident and PB Majority Floor Leader Oliver Actub moved that the same be "filed" surprising some legislative staff who believe that the letter should have been referred to the committee on environment for proper action.
(November 9, 2005 issue)
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