The anti-mining group, Defend Patrimony-South Negros, yesterday launched in Bacolod City its three-day environmental investigation mission at Sitio Dung-i, Brgy. Manlocahoc, Sipalay City, the site of the operations of Colet Mines.

At a press conference at the Negros Press Club building, the group were represented by priests Fr. Ireneo Gordoncillo and Fr. Romeo Tagud of Promotion of Church People's Response who aired their opposition to the activities of the mining firm, citing the possible destruction to the environment and to the livelihood of the people in the area.

Gordoncillo also reiterated his call for the abolition of the Mining Act of 1995.

The environmental investigative mission, which will start today and end on Friday, will be participated in by environmental management experts, sociologists, foresters, geologists and church people.

A press statement issued by Defend Patrimony-South Negros secretary-general Greg Ratin and coordinator Jessie Arcillas, said that while mining operations in Negros are increasing, of particular interest is the newly-approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreement of Colet Mining that covers 2.965 hectares.

Confirmatory drilling for adjacent ore bodies is ongoing, they said, and access road has been constructed from Brgy. Manlocahoc until Patag, the inner part of Sitio Dung-i where vast ricefields and 78 households are located.

The anti-mining group said that should mining operations go full blast, there will be a destruction of approximately 100 hectares of fertile rice lands at Sitio Dung-i where the mine tailings pond will be built.

They added that the planned open-pit mine at the Alepanto mountain threatens to cause massive siltation and ecological havoc to the surrounding areas and that hundreds of people from neighboring sitios and barangays are also expected to be displaced with no clear livelihood alternatives.

Also, the Sipalay River System, the lifeblood of agriculture of Sipalay, they said is threatened by massive pollution from toxic effluents, siltation and sedimentation from the mines.

"With the onslaught of mining applications in the province, the people have no recourse but to gear for a renewed struggle in defense of their land resources and the environment," the Defend Patrimony-South Negros said in their statement.

They cited the large-scale operations of Maricalum Mining Corp. and Philex Gold Philippines Inc., also in Sipalay which, they claim, have not alleviated the plight of the marginalized farming communities in their respective mining areas.

Even when the two mining companies ceased to operate, the environmental and social havoc they have caused to their host communities and their resource base has remained until today, the group added.*NLG

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