Vizcaya official wants ban on open-pit mining

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A senior member of the provincial board proposed an ordinance outlawing open-pit mining in the province during its regular session Wednesday. Lawyer Edu Balgos, a board member representing the mineral-rich south district, filed the proposed "Anti-Open-Pit Mining Ordinance." The move came amid a growing conflict between the provincial government and the Australian firm OceanaGold over tax issues. "It is hereby declared that the Province of Nueva Vizcaya is an open-pit mining-free province," reads Section 3 of the proposed ordinance. It also seeks the imprisonment of not exceeding one year or a fine of P5,000 for people or entities violating the ordinance. Reacting to public statements made by the provincial government earlier, OceanaGold raised doubts over the sudden turnaround of Governor Luisa Lloren Cuaresma. When Cuaresma was vice governor, the Didipio-Gold Copper project was endorsed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The endorsement was a requirement for the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate. Ramoncito Gozar, OceanaGold Philippines' vice president for communications and external affairs, said the mining industry is "puzzled as to this recent turnaround in position of the local government to a project that has been long publicly discussed and presented to community for the past ten years." Peter Duyapat, leader of the Didipio Earthsavers Multi-purpose Association, however, said if OceanaGold won't even listen to a governor, "why would they listen to small people like us." Duyapat's group lost before the Supreme Court when they challenged the constitutionality of contractual instruments used by OceanaGold for its operation. With the issue on local taxes now getting the spotlight, lobby groups led by the Legal Rights Center and the Friends of the Earth-Philippines believe it is time to reopen the debate. Clemente Bautista, spokesperson of Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, said the ongoing inquiry of the House Committee on National Minorities will weaken OceanaGold's position. - Abe Almirol, GMANews.TV