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Monday, July 17, 2006
Diwalwal miners to fight foreign investors
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- If local miners will have their way, foreign investors can never explore the gold rush site in Diwalwal on Mt. Diwata in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley, said Diwalwal barangay captain Franco Tito in reaction to reports that Chinese investors are pouring in billions of pesos to dig up the gold in the area.
"I don't know where we'll find ourselves if foreign investors will be allowed to mine Diwalwal because we will never allow Diwalwal to be mined by foreigners. Why should it be given to the Chinese when we can mine it ourselves?" Tito said.
Talks are rife that thousands of small-scale miners in Diwalwal are plotting moves to block the entry of these Chinese investors.
Miners have been reportedly holding meetings and mapping out plans as they insist the gold-rich Diwalwal should only be for Filipinos.
Tito, however, refused to confirm this rumor.
Compostela Valley Board Member Arthur Uy, however, cautioned the miners from making any drastic moves saying consultations will be conducted before foreign mining companies will be allowed entry anywhere in the province.
Uy assured the small miners that their rights and interests will be protected by the government.
Uy admitted that the billion-dollar investment of Chinese investors in the province would have a big impact in Compostela Valley in terms of employment and revenues.
He said they just hope that the investors would start their operation soon. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(July 17, 2006 issue)
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