TUBLAY, Benguet -- Small-scale mining is still being opposed in Tublay, although the operations of Dennis Tan at Ambassador are still ongoing.
Tan is mining on a lot owned by Ben Polig at Kilometer 21 in Barangay Ambassador with an area of 13.47 hectares.
Former board member Rodolfo Cosente led petitioners in protests against the activities last year.
Before the typhoon hit in October, protests against Tan and small-scale mining activities were snowballing after a heated dialogue in August where stakeholders aired their side of protests.
The local council likewise issued a resolution opposing small-scale mining activities in the area.
Tublay has been known as a mining town for the operations of the Sto. Nino Mines in the area, until the operations ceased in the '80s.
Residents said during the dialogue last August 25, 2009 that Tan is mining in an area directly under a water line and is operating without a permit.
Residents fear the mining activities will affect the water line and supply of water will be compromised for Sitos Amkaoay, Nalseb, Mamuyod, and Lus-ok.
The lot owned by Polig is also in the thick of a legal case as stated by claims made by Jauna Guinat and Patrica Todiano and Rebeca Sikil, who have asked for legal aid to their claims over the Polig property.
Moreover, residents said provincial roads will be eroded and adjacent properties will be damaged.
The local government has forwarded the transcripts of the dialogue to the Provincial Government as it is seeking the Provincial Board and Governor Nestor Fongwan's guidance.