MANILA, Philippines - Former Ateneo de Davao University president Fr. Emeterio Barcelon, SJ cautions everyone not to turn the Tampakan mining debate into a divisive issue.
“This is not a debate where someone wins and someone loses, this should be based on realities,” Barcelon said. “A win-win solution is possible if we all stick to facts,” he added.
Barcelon said he is a vocal supporter of what he calls “responsible mining” and added that “open-pit mining is much safer than underground mining because all mining activities are above the ground and that is reality and not rhetoric.”
Barcelon explained that open-pit mining operations can be rehabilitated as shown in other countries. He pointed out that “underground mining activities pose all sorts of safety and environmental problems and rehabilitation is difficult”.
“We have been studying the Tampakan project as early as 1986 when it was still classified as a gold deposit and it is very rich,” Barcelon said. “That project is very big and will definitely help South Cotabato economically”, he added.
“We should have developed the Tampakan project long time ago,” Barcelona said, adding that both sides of the Tampakan debate should be encouraged to study how responsible mining has been proven possible in mining projects around the world.
“Rehabilitation is very possible and this is an important aspect of this issue”, he said.
Barcelon also noted that “we need the investments in the mining industry to help the government in its poverty alleviation agenda.
“Responsible mining will be an economic driver for Mindanao and even for the entire country,” he said.