[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Roxas: Mining harms Capiz’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ROXAS City – Former Interior secretary Mar Roxas expressed opposition to mining.
“Only a few benefit from mining, but many suffer from its effects,” Roxas said in a radio interview when asked about his opinion on the lifting of the 50-year mining moratorium in Capiz.
Mining harms the livelihood of Capisnons, who rely on agriculture and fishery, because it contaminates sources of water, he said, citing his visits to mining areas when he was still in the Cabinet.
“There are plenty of ways to produce job opportunities without having to destroy the environment,” said the former Capiz 1st District representative.
But even with his stance, Roxas said he respects the decision of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to lift the mining moratorium.
“If there is a legal opinion regarding the issue, there should be acceptance by the community,” he said.
Roxas said he might return to his home province and inquire with various sectors about their stand on mining.
Gov. Antonio del Rosario, on the other hand, has made clear his opposition to mining.
He wrote all mayors in the province saying he was against the lifting of the moratorium. (The provincial ordinance lifting the moratorium was passed just days after the May election.)
Del Rosario also urged the local governments to pass ordinances imposing a 50-year mining moratorium in their respective jurisdictions. (Michelle Oropio and Coleen Pasaquian, Capiz Aksyon News Center/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
