THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Cordillera assured it will not approve any application for mining within Baguio City.
In the weekly Talakayan sa Environment Code, MGB regional director Faye Apil explained applicants are now in the processing stage for the operation of mining sites in three areas of the city particularly at Kias, Camp 7 and at Atok trail.
“These areas as of now are classified as mineral reservation areas. When we looked at the terrain and geological situation in the area, this was not favorable for residential areas which was probably the reason why it was declared as a mineral reservation site,” Apil said.
Proclamation No. 414 issued by former president Carlos Garcia in 1957 declared some 380.9 hectares within the city’s townsite reservation covering portions of Barangays Loakan Apugan, Kias and Atok Trail as mineral reservations and excluded the same from the city’s townsite reservation while Proclamation No. 572 issued by the same president in 1959 excluded some 159 hectares from the city’s townsite reservation covering Barangays Mines view and Lucban from the city’s townsite reservation and declaring it is mineral reservation in the city.
Baguio Regreening Movement (BRM) chairman lawyer Erdolfo Balajadia reiterated a provision in the environment code which does not allow any mining activity within the territorial jurisdiction and boundaries of Baguio City.
“Unfortunately we fought hard for this provision but the City Council during my time chose to remove that particular provision which is why we are asking the council to restore this provision,” Balajadia stated.
Houses however were built in the areas identified as mineral reservation sites.
“With due respect, the city environment code stated no mining within the City of Baguio except for those areas identified as mineral reservation but then, it would still depend in the City Council,” the Apil stated.
“We have a resolution from the BRM restoring that proposed provision and it will be all up to the, and let’s see if this would be approved or not,” Balajadia added.