Vizcaya solon, indigenous groups slam MGB over mine exploration

Nueva Vizcaya Rep. and Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla, indigenous and farming communities and their support groups demanded an explanation from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) granting of  extension of Oceana Gold Philippines Inc.’s (OGPI) exploration permit in the province which the groups claimed was a violation of Executive Order 79, s.2012.

 “I condemn this move by the MGB and Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Padilla said. “The people of Nueva Vizcaya cannot allow this, which in the first place is against the President’s orders. No extension or new permits must be provided unless a new mining revenue bill is enacted. This is a violation of EO79, this is illegal”

 On March 30, OGPI confirmed the five-year extension of the company’s financial or technical assistance agreement exploration permit 

 “This is unacceptable. The mining operations by OGPI is to end in 2019 and now the MGB is saying they can continue to dig and explore our lands? While we are waiting for the operations of OGPI to end, the MGB and DENR is doing its magic to extend it. But we cannot allow this, we will now allow it,” added RufinoLicyayo, Ifugao leader and chairperson of IP organization Didipio Earth Savers Multi-purpose Association (DESAMA).

 AlyansaTigil Mina claimed the DENR was acting for the mining industry and  blind to resistance of communities.

 JaybeeGarganera, ATM national coordinator said: “We are going to question this move by the DENR and MGB at different levels. This mining project has resulted in a string of human rights violations and abuse but despite the recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights in 2011 that the mining contract be reviewed by the Office of the President for its possible revocations, they were still allowed to operate. Now the government is allowing its extension? There will be stronger opposition. We demand that the new permit be cancelled.”

 Gov. Ruth Padilla has also released her statement affirming the provincial government’s advocacy to stop the entry of more large-scale mining operations there.

 Nueva Vizcaya is host to two of the largest mining projects in the country, the OGPI’s Didipio Mine and FCF Mineral’s Rurnruno Gold-Molybdenum Project in Quezon. The local government and communities in the province has long been opposed to the mining industry due to its negative impacts to the people and the environment. They are pushing for more development related to ecotourism and agriculture sector.

 In February 2014, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 3667 seeking to declare the province of Nueva Vizcaya as a mining free zone. The bill is currently pending in Senate

 AlyansaTigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who oppose the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of EO 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and passage of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.