ILOILO – Residents are protesting the ongoing mining exploration on Pan de Azucar Island in Concepcion town.
Pan de Azucar, the largest of the town’s 16 outlying islands, includes the barangays of Tambaliza, Talotoan, and Macatunao.
Leo Ferraris, Barangay Captain of Talotoan, said majority of residents oppose the mining exploration.
TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. was issued an exploration permit by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office.
“The majority here do not agree. I stand with them,” Ferraris said in a DYRI RMN Iloilo interview.
The residents’ opposition intensified after noticing large equipment being deployed in the last few weeks. They feared the possibility of full-scale mining rather than mere exploration.
“I oppose mining because it’s dangerous for us, especially for our mountains and the farmlands beneath. The residents are aware of this,” added Ferraris.
He explained that there had been mining exploration in their barangay in the past. However, he observed that the mining company managed the area by replanting trees after sampling.
“I was an official back then. Initially, their drilling didn’t cause problems as they would plant trees after their activities. I inspected the site then, and it seemed fine. But now, the system seems different,” he added.
Students from Fernando A. Arlos Memorial School and Diogracias Arlos National High School, along with locals from Barangay Tambaliza, are also calling for an end to the mining exploration. They urge both the local government unit (LGU) of Concepcion and the Iloilo provincial government to take action.
On Thursday, Nov. 30, students displayed placards in opposition to the mining. The placards bore messages such as “Don’t destroy our island,” “Save our home,” and “No to mining,” among others.
Residents and officials of Barangay Tambaliza held a public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
PGENRO to Inspect, Investigate the Area
Atty. Cesar Emmanuel Buyco, head of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), attended the hearing and acknowledged the residents’ opposition to mining.
“Their stance against even exploration was emphatically clear,” Buyco told Panay News.
He revealed plans to invite MGB Region 6 representatives to inspect and investigate the area.
“We committed to the barangay that we would visit with MGB, who issued the permit, to help inspect and investigate the mining company’s activities,” he added.
Buyco also wants the mining company to discuss the issue with residents, PGENRO, and MGB. He assured that PGENRO would support the public’s interest.
Legally, PGENRO cannot halt the mining exploration, as the permit was issued by DENR-MGB in Metro Manila.
In mining exploration, only drilling equipment is permitted for sample collection to assess valuable minerals like gold, silver, and copper.
“For an exploration permit, they should only drill to get samples, not conduct mining operations” Buyco said.
He didn’t dismiss the possibility of full-scale mining in the future.
If valuable minerals are discovered, a mining company may apply for a full-scale mining permit from the MGB.
“This is the concern with mining – if it escalates to full-scale operations, the island might be left barren,” Buyco added.
He learned from MGB-6 that the mining exploration on the island started as early as 2000, with the permit being renewed every two years.
Buyco clarified that PGENRO was unaware of the company’s activities as they had not issued the permit. The issue came to their attention through residents’ complaints./PN
