TACLOBAN CITY – With the full swing implementation of the Mining Act of the Philippines, businessman from both local and national mining firms have started coming to the region to explore for minerals for possible mining production especially bauxite and nickel.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-8) Regional Director Loreto Alburo said that their office has already received 24 applications for mining exploration aside from the 75 applicants for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) that are now being processed by the MGB regional office here and the MGB central office in Manila.
Officials of the MGB here admitted to Express that there is a strong opposition coming from the religious, non-government organizations and other “anti-mining groups” which could also be a high factor for the delay of the processing of the documents needed for mining exploration because of the vigilance of the people particularly on environmental protection.
There are at present two mining companies in Eastern Visayas that are on regular operation- the chromite mining being undertaken by Heritage Mining Corporation in Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar and the limestone mining operation in Palompon, Leyte.
“Raw materials from limestone is being used for fertilizer,” the MGB high ranking official told Leyte Samar Daily Express.
In Northern Samar, the Panapino Mining Corp. owned by former Congressman Wilmar Lucero is reportedly set to start its bauxite mining operation in Batag Island; Laoang, Northern Samar. The mineral would be exported to China for processing.
Alburo has expressed optimism that the anti-mining groups would soon support the government’s campaign under the Mining Act if these people would be fully informed and educated on how the environment could be protected with the use of new technology in mining and the safety of miners from accidents being the top concern of mining firms.
“We just need a massive information dissemination on how responsible mining could be implemented so that environmental destruction will be prevented,” Alburo said.
The MGB official, however, did not reveal how many applications of mining firms had been approved, saying that the MGB regional office only processes and receives applications for this purpose.
