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Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Gold rich-barangay chief takes on Arroyo
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Mount Diwata barangay captain Franco Tito has a new target of his tirades--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who he told must refrain from "ruling like a king".
Tito's advise came after Arroyo ordered an Army brigade to secure the gold rush mountain of Diwalwal in Monkayo, Compostela Valley from lawless elements.
In Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw, Tito said the 40,000 small miners in Diwalwal are opposing this latest directive of Arroyo since she did not consult them before deciding to replace the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion, which has been stationed in Diwalwal for almost three years now.
"Why, is our president a king such that there was no consultation with the small miners when it was decided that the 36th IB will be replaced?" Tito asked in vernacular.
He said during the 36th IB tour of duty in Diwalwal, peace and order was maintained and this is the very reason why they do not want the 28th IB to take over.
For so long, he said, residents opposed the presence of soldiers in Diwalwal because of fears they will abuse their powers.
Tito said their preconceived notion against the Army was changed by the 36th IB, which was first under the leadership of Colonel Max Caro and then Lieutenant Colonel Pat Morales.
Instead of changing guards, Tito said, what Arroyo should instead do is allow small miners to operate at Level 600 of Diwalwal.
He said this is where huge amount of gold deposits are believed to be located and remains untouched by the local miners.
"The estimated value of gold in Diwalwal is US$18 billion. Now we are wondering why we are not allowed to mine at Level 600. This is why we are doubting the government," Tito said in the dialect.
He said the only plausible reason they could think of is the entry of multi-national mining corporations in Diwalwal.
Tito said Arroyo must now tell them upfront if her administration is indeed entertaining the possibility of allowing foreigners to operate in Diwalwal.
He warned that if this happens, then all the 40,000-strong Diwalwal miners will do whatever it takes to prevent such from happening.
Tito said the mining operation in Diwalwal does not need the help of foreign mining corporations.
"Just allow us to mind at Level 600 and we will be the ones to give them the money," he said.
Government, according to Tito, already collected P45.5 million in taxes from the Diwalwal since it took over operation almost three years ago.
Environment Secretary Michael Defensor had said government will institute regulations on the mining industry that will safeguard the environment and ensure that tribal communities are not affected by mining operations.
Defensor said protected areas will be identified throughout the country to ensure that foreign mining companies will not violate existing environmental regulations.
He also said mining companies will be required to take on insurance liabilities to be paid directly to local government units with jurisdiction over mining areas.
Arroyo earlier said the share will come from the two percent tax on minerals.
The environment chief said foreign embassies will be asked to monitor the operations of the foreign mining firms that may operate in the country.
He added that agents of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will also coordinate and conduct regular on-site inspections to ensure that the mining operations are complying with environmental regulations.
Indigenous families living in mining areas may either receive royalties or could organize into small mining cooperatives to join the mining operations, he added.
The local mining industry has seen an influx of foreign investment after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Philippine Mining Act that allows the government to enter into service contracts with foreign firms involving either technical or financial assistance for the exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources.
(February 8, 2005 issue)
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