The granting of 53 mining applications and contracts in Negros Occidental is apparently too much for members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who are opposing more mining explorations in the province.

A resolution has been authored by Board Member Reynaldo Depasucat, chairperson of the SP committee on Environment and Natural Resources, conveying to DENR Secretary Michael Defensor their opposition to granting new mining exploration permits, processing and approval of new mining lease contracts and agreements in Negros Occidental. It was unanimously approved by the SP during its regular session yesterday.

This supports a resolution also approved last year by the Center for Environmental Initiatives, a multi-sectoral group chaired by Governor Joseph Marañon, suspending the agreements, contracts and other mining rights for the exploitation of mineral deposits, which can be developed and undertaken by the landowners, small-scale miners' cooperatives in Negros Occidental.

Negros Occidental has a total land area of 792,602 hectares, of which 34.70 percent, equivalent to 276,642 hectares, are already covered by 43 mining applications in addition to 10 mining approved contacts covering 971.59 has., Depasucat said.

On March 24, 1999, the provincial council of Negros Occidental also passed a resolution appealing to the six solons from the province to sponsor a law banning the granting of mining explorations permits and approval of new mining lease agreements. It, however, has remained unacted on by the congressmen, majority of whom are now no longer members of the House of Representatives.

The SP was recently furnished the exploration and environmental work programs of the mining companies - Joyland Industries Corporation, Cypress Mining and Devlopment Corp, Liverpool and Anaconda Mining Devt. Corporations- for issuance of Mineral Production Sharing Agreement.

The San Isidro Labrador Quasi Parish also expressed its opposition to the proposed mineral explorations by Cypress Mining and Devlopment Corporation in the boundary of Silay and Talisay.*GPB

back to top