House probe looms over mining in Antique province

MANILA, Philippines - A House of Representatives investigation looms over the operations of a mining firm blamed for pollution in the rivers and coastline of Antique province. House Resolution No. 1071 urges the House Committee on Natural Resources to investigate the mining waste disposal system of the Semirara Mining Company. In his article on the House of Representatives Web site, Rep. Exequiel Javier (Antique) also asked the natural resources panel to look into the alleged indiscriminate issuance of mining and quarry operations in his province. Javier cited reports the local government units and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) are allegedly conniving in issuing permits to operate quarry and mining operations in the province. But the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in San Jose Antique has denied the allegations, he noted. Javier said the mining and quarrying operations in Semirara Island pose grave danger to the lives and property of the people living in the area. In pushing for the probe, he said his office has received various complaints from affected villages and towns against the Semirara Mining Company and other mining companies operating in the province. Also, he cited the petition of residents of Barangay Alegria in Semirara Island, which said the mining waste from the Semirara Mining Company’s siltation pond has already affected the mangroves and seaweeds in the area. Semirara administrative manager Juniper Barroquillo denied the allegations and instead blamed the heavy rains, which he said triggered a run-off from the 10-meter old coal stockpile near the creek. - GMANews.TV