The Maricalum Mining Corp. in southern Negros Occidental that stopped operations in 2001, still owes local governments more than P90 million in real property taxes and its employees about P170 million in backwages and separation pay, Sipalay Mayor Oscar Montilla said yesterday.

Montilla said that MMC that was based in Barangay San Jose, Sipalay owes his city more than P50 million in back taxes, and Cauayan town almost P40 million.

Last year the Sipalay City government attempted to auction MMC property to collect on its backwages but was stopped by a temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals in Cebu. We are still appealing the ruling, Montilla said.

The Sipalay mines, which started operating in 1957, were closed on July 1, 2001, because of a labor dispute and complaints of environmental pollution. The closure left more than 5,000 workers jobless.

Montilla said he will only allow responsible mining with strict compliance to environment laws, in his city in the future.

He said he is seeking the help of environment lawyer Antonio Oposo and a German consultant to ensure this.*CPG

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