Marinduque eyes 50-year mining ban

The provincial board of Marinduque recently adopted a resolution of a Church-based non-government organization seeking a 50-year ban on mining activities in the province.

The resolution of the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC), which was adopted by the 10th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque last Friday, also condemned the Supreme Court’s reversal of its earlier ruling on the unconstitutionality of some provisions of the Mining Act of 1995.

MACEC executive secretary Myke Magalang submitted to the provincial council 15,500 signatures of Marinduqueños opposed to the resumption of mining operations in the province.

The environmental group also submitted to the provincial board a pastoral letter from Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista and resolutions from the municipal councils of Boac, Mogpog, Gasan, Buenavista and Torrijos, all vehemently opposing the re-entry of mining companies in Marinduque.

MACEC also proposed that the abandoned mining area previously managed by Marcopper Mining Corp. be declared a provincial special economic zone "where medium-scale environment-friendly enterprises may be established to spur the economic and industrial activities in the province... subject to subsequent legislations."

The group said that in order to strengthen these laws, certain portions of the Central Marinduque Area should be declared as special provincial agricultural zones, biodiversity-protected areas, eco-tourism zones, or as may be determined by an appropriate provincial land use policy.

"This is a partial victory of Marinduqueños and all those organizations who have consistently supported our cause. But this is only a partial victory because the national policy on the revitalization of the mining industry of the Arroyo administration still exists," said Monsignor Senen Malapad, MACEC executive chairman.

He added that the provincial council’s decision "gives impetus to all Marinduqueños to strengthen our struggle in defending our patrimony."

Earlier, the island-province sought at least $100 million from the giant Canadian mining firm Placer Dome for the rehabilitation of areas, including rivers, that were damaged or silted when a large mine waste dumpsite collapsed, discharging thousands of toxic waste into low-lying areas of the province.

The firm was also asked to pay for "economic damages, including compensation for lost properties and income opportunities of affected residents, and for health problems caused by toxic mine tailings.