MGB told: Davao opposes mining

THE City Council approved on second reading on Tuesday a resolution informing the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Central Office that Davao City is opposing the possible issuance of exploration permits to two mining companies covering several barangays in the city.

"There is a need to urgently notify the central offices of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and MGB to deny the request for authority of the two corporations to conduct mining explorations in Paquibato considering that even in this preparatory stage, people in all walks of life and their officials vehemently opposed in activities related to mining operation," copy of the approved resolution read.

The item got a unanimous vote from all the present members of the City Council during the deliberation Tuesday except for councilors Joanne Bonguyan (on sick leave), Marissa Salvador-Abella (on official business) and Nilo Abellera Jr. (absent).

The areas in Paquibato District that are covered of the possible issuance of exploration permits being applied by Alberto Mining Corporation and Pensons Mining Corporation are barangays Lumiad, Mapula, Salapawan and Tapak.

Engr. Geronimo Palermo, president of Pensons Mining Corporation and Alberto Mining Corporation, was requested to attend but failed to appear before the City Council.

During the discussion Tuesday, village chiefs and representatives of the indigenous peoples claimed that they were “short-changed on the assurance that their signatures on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) is only for the purposes of exploration in determining resources in the area, but not an integral part of application for mining operation.”

The personalities who attended and spoke before the members of the City Council were Datu Ruben Labawan, Ata-Manobo IP community representative; Datu Rolly Latawan, barangay chief of Tapak, Paquibato District; Datu Jose Amban; Datu Mario Lausan; Doming Bucayla, barangay chief of Salapawan, Paquibato District; and Jaime Manyauron, barangay chief of Mapula, Paquibato District.

Further, Cristito Ingay, provincial officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), also testified their office was “not given the chance to assist the IPs involve to arrive a prior free consent on the subject matter in violation of the existing rules and regulations.”

Panalipdan Southern Mindanao spokesperson Juland Suazo, who was also present on Tuesday’s meeting, pointed out five major reasons why they are opposing mining in Davao City.

He said mining is "not the development path for Davao City vis-à-vis the study on its cost-benefits assessment under its current policy and practice; is a major threat to the environment and biodiversity, and to food and water security; divides the lumad and fosters corruption that bastardize their culture and traditions; and has resulted to militarization and human rights violations."

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said the mining resolution has long been raised by the previous council but discussions were not pushed through due to midterm elections.

He said the said act of the MGB to give way to the application of exploration permits to two mining companies was violation to Local Government Code, violation to NCIP rules that there should be free prior informed consent on the part of NCIP.

"The committee will continue the committee hearing on mining-free zone," he said, adding that they will pursue this before proceeding to deliberating quarry activities in the city.

The MGB, represented by Atty. Wilfredo Montano, chief of Mine Management Division, clarified that there was no exploration done yet on the areas as previously manifested.

"No human activity has occurred in the area yet," he said, adding that he application of the two mining companies are still considered as a "mere piece of paper."

He explained that exploration is a process of scientific evaluation in the area.

"There are indications that there are minerals in Paquibato," he said.

The application for exploration permit was filed by Pensons Mining Corporation on July 8, 1997 covering a total area of 8,475.5971 hectares located at Barangay Tapak, Paquibato District. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

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