DENR official vows scrutiny of permit for mineral probe

An official of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau of the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources yesterday assured that the application of Kimhee Realty Corporation for mineral product exploration in Cordova town will be properly scrutinized.

MGB regional director Roger de Dios issued the statement following opposition by town officials and residents of Cordova on the application of Kimhee for mineral exploration to determine the mineral type available in the area.

Lapu-Lapu City councilor Eugene Espedido said MGB-DENR should assure that a public consultation is made.

Espedido said Kimhee also informed the city council that they applied for mineral exploration in Lapu-Lapu City.

Councilor Espedido said that he remembered that letter of Kimhee, but the council agreed to return the letter to the applicant and required them to submit supporting documents.



Kimhee applied for an exploration permit in barangays Day-as and Buagsong to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of limestone and other quarry materials that may be suitable for dimension stone, construction and other industrial uses.

The target areas for the proposed exploration work program is 709.7 hectares, but town officials claimed that they suspect it more than 700 hectares based on the map released from the DENR.

Cordova town officials said the mineral exploration in the town will affect the environment and threaten the safety of the residents.

Municipal councilor Greg Jumao-as, chairman of the committee on environment, said the municipal council will not endorse the application of Kimhee.

He said the town is not ideal for mining, but only for light industries and tourism. - Jose P. Sollano