The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau should consult with local governments before they grant mining permits, Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon said yesterday.

The DENR should closely coordinate with local governments because local officials have more knowledge about the situation in their areas and have to ensure the protection of their constituents against potential hazards, he said.

The four bishops of Negros Island - Vicente Navarra of Bacolod, Jose Advincula Jr. of San Carlos, John Du of Dumaguete and Patricio Buzon of Kabankalan -- met with Marañon Monday to brief him on their campaign against large scale "environmentally destructive mining in our land."

The bishops also released an MGB Region 6 list of 33 mining rights applications in Negros Occidental covering 191,596.98 has.

Of the 33 applicants 21 are seeking mineral production sharing agreements on 32,874.49 has., seven are asking for exploration permits covering 21,560.45 has., and five are seeking financial or technical assistance agreements for mining of copper and gold in 137,162.04 hectares.

The five applicants for financial or technical assistance agreements are Eagle Cement Corp covering 7,533 has. in Hinobaan, Sipalay and Bayawan, Royal Cement and Mining Corp. for 34,332.50 has. in Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay and Candoni;

Asturias Chemical Industries Inc. covering 52,589.20 has. in Sagay, Escalante, Cadiz, Toboso and San Carlos, International Pursuit Philippines Inc. for 36,976.40 has. in Sipalay, Cauayan and Hinoba-an, and Philmet Exploration Corp (formerly Western Mining Corp.) on 5,730.70 has. in Kabankalan and Himamaylan.

Some local officials in northern Negros have complained that they were not consulted or informed about the application of Asturias Chemical Industries Inc.

Marañon said he was only informed of one mining application involving Colet Mining and Development Corp.

"The application permits for mining do not pass through us, all the DENR does is copy furnish us when they approve them," he said.

There are already six approved mining rights in Negros Occidental covering 6,931.15 has.

The Negros bishops are calling on the President to recall all approved Financial Technical Assistance Agreements and other mineral agreements and to declare a moratorium on the issuance of large scale mining permits, licenses, agreements and other instruments until the new legal frame work has been set in place.

The concerns of the bishops should be heard and addressed properly, Marañon said.

There should be full compliance with our environmental laws, he said.

Marañon said he will attach the provincial government's comments to the position paper of the bishops and send copies to the President, the DENR and the MGB.

Marañon said mining firms should be responsible because in the past violations that were destructive to the environment and health of the people were committed.

They also called on government to require rehabilitation and restoration of mining areas and exact accountability from mining corporations for the destruction they caused so far.

The bishops called for the serious consideration and planning of alternatives to large scale mining, which are more lasting and sustainable, stressing the need to "reduce, reuse and recycle."*CPG

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