BENGUET

Permit already ‘expired’: Benguet folks oppose continuous operations of Philex Mining Corp.
BY DEXTER SEE

TUBA, Benguet – Thousands of residents of barangays here where Philex Mining Corp., one of the existing mining companies in this province is located are opposing the company’s operation which has been going on despite the expiration of its permit early this year.

In a petition addressed to the Benguet Provincial Government, the residents stated that Philex Mines has continue to operate despite the rejection of the company’s mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) during a consultation on free and prior informed consent held a few months ago.

It was learned that the overwhelming rejection was prompted by the company’s alleged disrespect of the rights of the indigenous peoples, failure to provide adequate water supply, and alleged displacement of many residents.

Furthermore, it was alleged that the mining company failed to pay land claims in the buffer zone and that the owners of damaged properties caused by the continuous mining operation were given social assistance instead of just compensation.

In a recent meeting, representatives of hundreds of families residing at Sitios Loakan, Agpay, Dun-oy, Alang, Santa Fe, Liang, Libeng, Pukis, Mansumang, Piral, Tabnusan, Pugol, Pungol, Oligba, Alapang, Camait, Batian, Torre, and Clifton in BArangay Camp 3, this town declared that they do not approve the mining firm’s renewed operation. They demanded that Philex Mines discontinue its operation and rehabilitate their sources of water which, they claimed, have bee heavily depleted because of the continuous diggings.

Early this year, the central office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) granted a one-year special mines permit to Philex to the certain condition.
Among the required condition for the company’s continuous operations are the filing of a surety bond in the amount equivalent to the annual net mining revenue derived from its operations in the 98hectare permitted area.

As of March this year, Philex paid 42, individual claimants a total of P29, 878,717.06 for the damages they suffered. The claimants are residing in the buffer or subsidence zone.

However, the residents said that the compensation paid by the company is insufficient, considering the long-term negative effects of mining in their communities.

They said that the compensation given to some families were mere pretence to convince the MGB to grant them a permit to continue operation in the mineral rich communities of this town.

Likewise, they said that the water and irrigation projects are not sustainable because these would deplete as time passes by.

The company has been conducting the consultation at Camp 3 proper which, they said, are not directly affected by mining operations.



BSU alumnus is one of top 30 students in nationwide search
BY R. FIANGA-AN JR.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Following the trail of awards received by his predecessors, such as Ronald C. Lopez and Verna A Duque (2001), Ederson G. Bawang (2002), Fernando M. Venturina Jr. (2004) and Filmore Y. Awas (2005), another BSU alumnus made it to the top 30 list of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for the year 2007.

Efrain D. Dayog, a Physics major who graduated cum laude last April 2007 with the course Bachelor in Secondary Education, was the lone Cordilleran who made it to the top 30, besting 115 other candidates from all over the country.

Dayog, during the initial stages of his application shared his apprehension of not being able to make it to the national finals as he was juggling his time between meeting the tedious TOSP requirements and his schedule as a student teacher.

He was one of the three BSU students chosen as candidates to the Search for Outstanding Students of the Cordillera Administrative Region (OSCAR), the regional version of the national TOSP search. The other two were Herbert L. Wayan and Michael B. Capuyan Jr, Agricultural Engineering and Nursing students, respectively.

Dayog and Capuyan were later named as two of the six candidates from CAR, and of the six, Dayog was the only one who went to Manila to face the national panel of judges and undergo a formation program developed and facilitated by the members of the TOSP Alumni Community, an organization composed of previous TOSP awardees.

Dayog received his distinction as one of the Top 30 outstanding students in the entire country during the National Awarding Ceremonies last July 5 at the Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace.

He was accompanied by his father and other relatives, BSU President Dr. Rogelio D. Colting, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Dr. Edna A. Chua, and College of Teacher Education (CTE) Dean Dr. Percyveranda A. Lubrica.

The CTE faculty and staff played a significant role in molding Dayog as a proactive and responsible student by providing him relevant training and exposure during his stay in the University. The OSA facilitates the application and screening of candidates for the annual search at the University level.

The guest of honor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave the awards. The TOSP search was founded by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr., who was inspired by the life led by Dr. Jose Rizal. It aims to honor students who are exemplars and leaders in their academic fields and make significant contributions to the community they belong to.

Prominent personalities who belong to the TOSP roster of awardees include, Bishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ; Atty. Rene Saguisag, the late Raul Roco, Sonia M. Roco, lawyer Dong Puno and Sec. Ramon del Rosario, to name a few. The annual, nationwide search inspires the youth to be model students and imbibe the TOSP credo of learning, leading and serving for life.