Human Rights Online Philippines

Romblon LGU rejects another mining application
Asserts provisions in P-Noy’s mining policy

San Fernando, Romblon – Municipality of San Fernando in Sibuyan, Romblon will not participate in any process pertaining to the application for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of Fil-China Mining Development Corporation, said Mayor Dindo C. Rios.

In a letter dated last August 13 sent to Roland de Jesus, MGB Regional Director for MIMAROPA, Mayor Rios stressed the provisions in the mining Executive Order 79 (EO 79) stating that protected areas shall be spared from mining.

‘The whole island is a protected area as a mangrove swamp forest reserve pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 2152,’ explained Mayor Dios. He also clarified that Sibuyan Island is also listed among the Tourism Development Areas (TDA), which had been declared as no go zone for mining.

Meanwhile, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) hailed this action of Romblon LGU for protecting their islands and recognizing that mining activities will further aggravate the susceptibility to landslide and flooding of many areas in the municipality.

“It was just disappointing that DENR themselves are the ones pushing for projects closed to mining. Even before the EO was released, there are already existing policies protecting Sibuyan including a local legislation opposing mining in the island,” said Jaybee Garganera, ATM national coordinator.

Alyansa Tigil Mina is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations who are opposing the aggressive promotion of large-scale mining in the Philippines. The alliance is currently pushing for a moratorium on mining, revocation of Executive Order 270-A, repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and passage of the AMMB. (30)

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For more information:
Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator;, nc@alyansatigilmina.net, 09277617602
Rodne Galicha, ATM Sites of Struggle Officer; sos@alyansatigilmina.net, 09052850700
Edel S. Garingan – ATM Media and Communication Officer: communications@alyansatigilmina.net,
0922-8918972

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