ILOILO CITY – The municipal government of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras has passed a resolution opposing the proposed mining exploration of a giant multinational company.

Nueva Valencia Mayor Alejandro Araneta said they will forward a copy of the resolution to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that will decide on the application of the mining firm

Guimaras residents and environmental groups fear that the exploration project proposed by the Fil-Asian Strategic Resources and Properties Corp. will threaten the island's rich resources that are still recovering from the massive oil spill in 2006.

Ex-VM hits city ordinance compelling
contractors to employ local workers

A former vice mayor of Bacolod City said yesterday that it is unconstitutional to force or compel a corporation or individual to hire workers based on their place of residence.

The former official, Ramiro Garcia, was referring to an ordinance requiring all vertical and horizontal contractors to hire at least 20 percent of their work force from the barangay where their constructions are situated which was approved recently by the Bacolod Sangguninag Panlungsod.

Garcia said this is a democratic country where the right to employ or be employed is based on the qualifications of the worker and not on his/her place of residence.

‘Favorable weather to render
cloudseeding unnecessary

Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan yesterday said cloud-seeding operation in the second quarter of the year may not be necessary due to recent favorable weather condition.

Unlike last year when prolonged dry spell made it necessary for the provincial government to conduct cloud seeding operations, Tabianan said his office has monitored sporadic rainfall in different areas of the province.

Non-irrigated areas have benefited from the intermittent rainfall although most farm lots are on a “resting period”, he said.

back to top