Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) – The governor of Eastern Samar is urging concerned government agencies to look into the activities of mining companies in the province, citing violations of environmental laws, among others.
In a statement on Monday, Governor Ben Evardone said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) should look into the mining firms, which “have not been religiously observing all environmental and social protection laws.”
He added that the mining companies are not paying real property tax.
“Despite repeated demands, the province has yet to receive its share from excise tax amounting to (₱133 million) that our province needs for its people,” Evardone said.
Evardone said it was the DENR and the MGB, not the local government, which approved the operation of the mining companies.
“The (DENR) Secretary shall have the authority to enter into numeral agreements on behalf of the Government upon the recommendation of the (MGB) Director, promulgate such rules and regulations,” Evardone said citing the Philippines Mining Act of 1995.
According to Fr. James Abella, Caritas director in Borongan, four mining companies are now operating on Homonhon Island.
Abella also said there is a looming resumption of other mining activities on Manicani Island, and mining exploration on Calabyong Island, Western Samar.
Techiron Resources, Inc., Emir Mineral Resources Corp., King Resources Mining Corp., and Global Min-met Resources, Inc. are now operating on Homonhon Island, while Hinatuan Mining Corp. is operating on Manicani Island.
On Monday, hundreds of residents staged a prayer rally against mining activities in the Samar Islands.
’39’:
Dubbed as “Jericho Walk,” participants gathered at the provincial capitol grounds of Eastern Samar then marched to the Borongan Cathedral for a mass presided by Bishop Crispin Varquez.
\”Together we make sacrifices, together we continue our appeal sa mga ahensiya sa gobyerno, from national, provincial, sa mga towns ngan mga barangays nga kunta ipatigil na ang tanan nga operations sa mina, ngan waray mag-endorse hit application para sa mining operation,\” Bishop Varquez said during the program after the prayer walk.
[Translation: Together we make sacrifices, together we continue our appeal to the national and provincial government agencies, even government officials in towns and barangays, to stop mining operations and to reject the endorsement of applications of mining operations.]
The participants of the prayer rally strongly opposed the ongoing mining operations on the historic islands of Homonhon and Manicani.
Homonhon is known as the first landing site of Ferdinand Magellan’ s crew while finding a navigational route to Moluccas Islands, while Manicani was used by the Allied forces as a naval base during the liberation period in World War II.
In his homily, Varquez urged officials to promote and create agri-tourism-related programs and initiatives, which he said are not only more viable and sustainable, but contribute more to both local and national economies.
On Sunday prior to the prayer rally, some groups on Manicani Island expressed their support for mining.
A pro-mining unity walk was held in four villages on Manicani Island by members of the Manicani Response for Progress, Protection and Stability Organization Inc.
The group said jobs in the mining companies provide a steady income for their families.
