IN A bid to open its first minahang bayan, Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso has called on opposition to air its sentiments during the public hearing at the provincial Capitol on Monday, October 29.
"We are set for hearing on October 29, with the pronouncement of (Environment) Secretary Roy Cimatu to fast-track the applications for minahang bayan. There is opposition, and as part of the process, a hearing is set after which the result will be submitted to the office of the Secretary for the declaration," Pacalso said.
Engineer Lomino Kaniteng, president of the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners, said the municipalities of Bakun, Mankayan, Tuba and Itogon are eyeing a Minahang Bayan in their area.
In the town of Bakun, a minahang bayan was already existing since 2004 and it was only granted permit by the town this year and the matter is still subject to validation by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples for the application of a Free Prior and Informed Consent.
Kaniteng said there have been several opposition to the establishment of a minahang bayan, including large-scale mines.
He said the proposed minahang bayan in Itogon has been opposed by Northern Luzon Exploration and North Gold Resources, Itogon Suyoc Resource Incorporated, Makawiwili Mining, Atok Big-Wedge, Benguet Corporation, two land owners and one association.
In Mankayan, Lepanto Mining Corporation, Itogon Suyoc Resource Incorporated, Northern Luzon Exploration, and mining claims of Queensberry Mining Company are also opposed to the opening of a minahang bayan.
In Tuba, a private landowner has expressed its opposition.
Kaniteng said the board is trying to make some simplifications with the Philippine Mining Regulatory Board, the regulatory body of small-scale mining and large-scale mining supervised by the Mines Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
He said the federation aim to acquire permits, including a small-scale mining contract and processors permit with most of the applicants having difficulties in applying for compliance requirements.
Kaniteng said the government should also simplify the processing of permit for small-scale mining, particularly in securing an environmental compliance certificate.
"The moment you have minahang bayan, it is only the area where you can apply a small-scale mining contract, without minahang bayan, no small-scale mining," he said.
Cimatu, in his earlier visit to Baguio City, ordered to fast-track the opening of an 80-hectare minahang bayan in Sitio Luneta, Barangay Loakan in Itogon, if given consent by Benguet Corporation.
As of Friday, October 26, there is still no declared minahang bayan in the province of Benguet.