LGUs ask PNoy to avert eco crisis in Zamboanga mine area

SIOCON, Zamboanga del Norte , Philippines - Local officials of three municipalities in the Zamboanga Peninsula issued an urgent appeal recently to President Aquino to help avert the impending negative impact on livelihood and economy in their areas if a mining company operating in the area for decades now is forced to close down its mining operation next year.

The municipalities of Siocon and Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte and RT Lim, in Zamboanga Sibugay which are located within the vicinity of the mining operations of TVI Resources, Development (Phils.) Inc., an affiliate of a Canadian mining company, are largely dependent on the local taxes, employment, and delivery of basic social services that the company has been providing local residents for almost a decade now.

In their letters of appeal addressed to the president, Mayors Cesar C. Soriano of Siocon, Gani Esmali of Baliguian town and Michael A.Piodena of RT Lim, explained that the imminent adverse impact on their communities can only be avoided if President Aquino will grant a special exemption from Executive Order 79 under Section 7 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations, to allow TVIRD to expand its mining agreement to a property adjacent to its present mining site.

They said a satellite ore deposit existing within trucking distance from the TVIRD’s Canatuan project could potentially add several years of mine life to the operation – if the company would be allowed to access it.

On the other hand, all the 25 barangay captains of Siocon in their appeal to President Aquino expressed  fears that “unless the special exemption is approved, TVIRD will be forced to shut down its operation and with it, all assistance and support to the community, including the maintenance of infrastructure such as the provincial road, the countless farm-to-market roads, bridges and spillways, livelihood projects, etc. ”

 In addition, Soriano expressed concern over the possible stoppage in the maintenance of security along the region’s roads, provided by TVIRD. “The security support provided by the company is crucial in maintaining peace and order and security in the area,” Soriano said

TVIRD operates a copper-zinc mining inside the ancestral domain of the indigenous Subanon tribe in Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte and expects to cease operations at the end of its minelife, mid next year.

However, it has identified significant copper deposits in the nearby area in Malusok, Baliguian municipality and has applied to operate the site since last year.