Bontoc folks oppose illegal logging, large-scale mining

Folks nix reports over Mt. Chomanegcheg 

By Alpine Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Local folks here said they would oppose entry of large-scale mining activities by firms and address illegal logging to protect the environment.

This, after two barangays of this municipality were recently the subject of news in regional newspapers on alleged massive tree cutting in Mount Chomanegcheg, especially since it is the subject of a boundary dispute between them.

Nonetheless, the two barangays declared their commitment to conserve the environment and resources for the benefit of future generations.

According to officials of both barangays, photos and articles on the alleged tree cutting at the mountain gave the public a perception that massive destruction had been going on for small scale mining activities in Mainit.

To verify accuracy of allegations and clear the good name and honor of both barangays, officials and community folks inspected the site resulting to passing of a joint resolution about the issue.

In joint resolution of the barangay officials of Mainit and Maligcong in the presence of Bontoc Councilor Herman Farnican, July 24, officials said  people who are currently residing in both barangays are continuing their ancestors’ legacy since time immemorial -- that of responsible stewardship over respective natural resources even when pressured by corporate entities.

“This is why both our barangays have tirelessly opposed the countless bids of multi – national corporations to exploit our mineral, forest, and other resources. We maintain that our resources, when we use them, are for the benefit of all the people in our respective communities, keeping in mind the heritage of our future children and not of corporate interest,” the officials stated.

In the joint inspection and investigation, it was found out there had been cutting of trees in Mount Chomanegcheg.

However, barangay officials said a total of 57 pine trees have been cut and not “massive” as the photo in a regional newspaper suggested.

It was found that tree cutting was done by several residents and descendants of Mainit and Maligcong for the construction of their family homes and granaries. Only a portion of the lumber was used for the small scale mining.

Officials of both barangays also clarified the contributed photo of a cut lumber interspersed with standing trees published in a regional newspaper on June 28, was shot in Liang, Guina-ang, a neighbouring barangay and not in Mount Chomanegcheg.

It was included in the joint resolution that contrary to the information in the news published in a regional newspaper on June 21, 2015, it was the Sangguniang Pambarangay of Maligcong that requested an inspection of the small scale mining activities.

In the interest of transparency, the request was immediately granted by the Sanggunang Pambarangay of Mainit and a joint inspection was conducted on June 10, 2015, almost two weeks before the local and regional media outfits released news on alleged illegal cutting, and small scale mining activities.

It was found out small scale miners have not encroached into the territorial jurisdiction of Barangay Maligcong and were not threatening water source and rice fields of Maligcong.

Despite this, both barangays agreed to conduct annual inspection subject to request by the Sangguniang Pambarangay of Maligcong and upon mutual agreement.

Copies of the joint resolution was forwarded to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Office of Governor Leonard G. Mayaen, Office of Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsey, and other concerned agencies.