POBLACION, Itogon -- Stakeholders of Barangays Dalupirip, Poblacion, Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet continue to fight against Benguet Corporation's plan to raise the level of its Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) 2.
It was in 2002 when the mining firm's current operation, the Acupan Contract Mining Project (ACMP), was conceptualized and the TSF 2 was utilized as the project's tailings disposal.
Barangay Tinongdan Captain Edwin Atumpag said residents fear that once the dam collapse, those in the downstream will be affected.
Barangay Poblacion Captain Albert Carantes Jr. added there were several negotiations conducted in the past but downstream communities still oppose the project.
In a manifesto, residents and elders signed their stand against the plan of the mining firm.
"We Indigenous Peoples of Itogon and representatives from various sectors reiterate and manifest our extreme concern and opposition to the implementation of the tailings dam 2 raising project of Benguet Corporation within the context of blatant disregard for Indigenous Human Rights and Environmental Protection," the manifesto read.
Stakeholders said in spite of the absence of Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and the continued consistent opposition of the lower downstream Indigenous Peoples of Itogon, the regional offices of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Environment Management Bureau (EMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued orders and legal opinions interposing no objection to the project.
"These are blatant display of inadequate evaluation with regard to key issues as well as irregularities in the environmental licensing
associated with company influence which has resulted in illegal approval paving for the company to resume its dumping and earth moving activities in TSF 2," the manifesto added.
The communities asked for the immediate suspension and nullification of environment licenses for the project, conduct of an FPIC, investigation of the irregularities in the issuance of licenses, compliance in securing other permits or clearances such as barangay, municipal and provincial government endorsement.
The mining firm is also asked to secure Protected Area and Management Board clearance, building permit, quarry permit, comply to prior commitments and environmental responsibilities, complete the dam 2 spillway, enhance and maintain the old and new diversion tunnels, pay the unpaid claims affected by the dam construction, implement the Social Development Management Programs and pay natural wealth share to the localities.
Vice Governor Johnny Waguis, Board Members Robert Namoro and Alexander Fianza, meanwhile, backed residents of Itogon against the project.
"We in the Provincial Government together with the Provincial Board members is one in your call to stop the raising of the dam and for the company to look for other alternative in order for them to continue their operation," Waguis added.
Fianza said they sympathize with the problem of lower downstream communities opposing the TSF Dam 2 to be raised citing the fear of the people.
"Once the dam will be damage due to typhoon, mud will be directly going to the downstream communities and destroy their farms, houses, and livestock," added Fianza.
Namoro said mining serves as livelihood but this should be balanced.
"The call is not to stop the operation of the mines but for an alternative in order for the downstream not to vanish. When it comes to legality, it might be legal but is it moral?" Namoro said.