P-Noy urged: Stop large-scale black sand mining in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY – President Aquino was urged by concerned Cagayanons including religious and environmental groups last week to stop large-scale black sand mining in Cagayan towns.

Father Manny Catral, the representative of Tuguegarao Bishop Sergio Utleg, and advocates from Cagayan met with Sec. Manuel Mamba, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, on Monday to submit their concerns on the issue of black sand mining off the coast of Cagayan, specifically in the towns of Aparri, Buguey, Sta. Teresita, Gonzaga, Lallo, and Calamaniugan.

Mamba, who also heads the Cagayan Black Sand Mining Task Force, received Bishop Utleg’s letter to the President.

In the letter, Bishop Utleg said, “Mr. President, we are appealing to you to order the immediate closure of large-scale black sand mining Cagayan and the dismantling of their huge processing plants. We believe that these are blatant violations of Batasang Pambansa No. 265, Presidential Decree No. 1899, and Republic Act No. 7076.”

Black sand or magnetite mining has been a controversial issue in Cagayan for almost five years. Magnetite or iron sand is valued for its use in building and construction.

The substance keeps coasts from erosion and wave currents.

Evelyn Lacambra of Federation of Environmental Advocates of Cagayan (FEAC) and Concerned Laloeno Against Illegal Mining (CLAIM) added, “We are happy to have met Sec Mamba who we believe understand our concerns. We hope that this will result to the stoppage of the black sand mining in our province.”

Magnetite mining in Cagayan has been subject to several media video documentaries due to its impact on community livelihoods, especially that of fisher folk.

Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has issued a cease-and-desist order for black sand mining in the area, but falls short in implementing it.

“Unfortunately, the government lacks political will in exercising its police power in implementing these orders. This results in the abuse and misuse of our natural resources, while putting the livelihoods of communities in grave jeopardy,” said Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina.

Alyansa Tigil 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, the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and the passage of the AMMB.