"The mining industry is so important that it has become part of our daily lives," Gerardo Mahusay of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 7 said at the public hearing Thursday, on the proposed provincial mining ordinance of Negros Oriental.

The proposed measure gives the governor flexibility in the issuance of at least 14 types of mining permits in the province.

MGB-7 officer-in-charge Raul Laput said the local mining ordinance is more comprehensive and in consonance with the Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

This will not only give additional sources of revenue to the province but also to the national coffers.

However, objections were raised by barangay captains and some Local Government Units to the deletion of the barangay clearance and mayor's permits as primary requirements for issuing renewal of permits for mining operations in the province.

Maglinao Brgy Captain Melchor Constantino of the former the seat of the defunct CDCP mining operation in Basay, lambasted what he considers a slap, neglect and disrespect to their authority under the Local Government Code of 1991 to issue a barangay clearance for persons who want to do business in their barangay. MGB-7 representatives, however, stressed that the exclusion of the barangay clearance and mayors permits is without prejudice to the powers of LGUs to cancel or stop ongoing mining operations when it is deemed necessary to protect the lives and limbs of its constituents.

Mahusay said the deletion is primarily to expedite the renewal of mining or quarrying permit applications.

Meanwhile, Mayor Edcel Enardecido of Ayungon, where the Silica mining is located, said deleting the mayor's permit does not matter because it is still within the powers of local chief executives to stop these operations if warranted.

Besides, the governor has the power to appoint deputies, including the mayors, in monitoring such activities, he said.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jun Cabrido said several issues came out on the deletion of the barangay clearance.

In their meetings, barangay captains were blamed for the delays in the renewal of permit applications, to the extent that they become a hindrance especially when they go to the mayor to seek guidance.

Provincial board member Melimore Saycon, environment committee vice chairman, himself, is against the deletion saying it is prone to abuse, and for political reasons.

In fact, he said he doubts that the proposed ordinance will be passed because majority of the Board Members are against it.*JG

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