Bulacan gov scores grant of permits to mining firm

SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan — Alarmed over the possible destruction of the historical Biak na Bato national park, which boasts a network of magnificent caves, Bulacan Gov. Josefina de la Cruz has questioned the grant of permits to a mining firm to extract marble near the site.

It was to protect Biak na Bato that the provincial government cancelled all mining and quarrying permits here.

Despite this, De la Cruz said in a letter to acting Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Armand de Castro that she was surprised to learn that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s Central Luzon office issued ore transfer permits (OTPs) to Rosemoor Mining and Development Corp. to extract marble on Mount Mabio situated near Biak na Bato, the last permit being valid until Jan. 25, 2006.

She said the OTPs were issued despite a Supreme Court decision on March 30, 2004 upholding the cancellation of the quarry license which the MGB had granted Rosemoor.

Records also showed that Arnulfo Cabantog, former MGB-Central Luzon director, withheld the grant of OTPs to Rosemoor due to a pending motion filed by Lourdes Pascual, who claims to be the company’s rightful president, with the Court of Appeals.

Despite these developments, De la Cruz said Rosemoor continues to extract marble, imperiling the Biak na Bato national park.