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.

“The people have already voiced out their opposition and we will stand by it,” Araneta said in a telephone interview.

Araneta said an overwhelming number of residents who attended a public hearing last week of the MGB signed a position paper opposing the application.

Signature campaigns are also ongoing in the 20 barangays of the municipalities and the four municipalities of the province, according to Araneta.

The FASRPC, a subsidiary of the Australia-based Rusina Mining NL, plans to conduct exploration for gold and copper deposits in a 2,400-hectare area covering nine of the 20 villages of Nueva Valencia.

The villages covered by the application include Napandong, Sto. Domingo, Lucmayan, San Roque, Salvacion, La Paz, Cabalagnan, Canhawan and Igdarapdap.

The firm is also applying for a permit for mining exploration on a 621-hectare area on Pan De Azucar Island in Concepcion town, Iloilo.

The exploring projects cost P13.26 million each.

Ed Coronel, the firm's Vice President for Corporate Affairs, said they will continue to “dialogue” with the officials and residents opposing the project.

He said exploration activities are “not intrusive” and involve taking water and rock samples. “It is important that the people understand what exploration activities mean and the potential economic benefits if mineral deposits are found.”

Coronel said the company will abide by the decision of the MGB on their application but will respect the stand of the residents.

“There's nothing we can do if the people is against it,” he said in a telephone interview.

Araneta said the proposed exploration in his municipality covers at least 20 percent of the town's total land area.

“Aside from the threats this will pose to our environment, this is also against the province's Comprehensive Land Use Plan,” Araneta said.

The mayor said the province development plans are anchored on agro-tourism industries.

Nueva Valencia is the hardest hit by the oil spill of the five municipalities of Guimaras. It is home to the University of the Philippines in the Visayas marine biological station and the 1,143-ha Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (Tinmar).

The marine reserve hosts 22 of the 35 existing species of mangroves in the Philippines, including the hybrid Rhizophova lamarckii (Bakhaw hybrid). Many of the mangroves in the area are 50 to 75 years old.

Guimaras is considered one of the richest areas in marine life and in biodiversity. It is also known for its pristine beaches and export-quality mangoes.

The Madiaas Ecological Movement (MEM) also expressed alarm over mining exploration activities in Guimaras and other areas on Panay Island.*NPB

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