Nueva Vizcaya gov leads barricade vs mining project

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma led other provincial officials and villagers in barricading a mining project here after its foreign proponent failed to reach an agreement with the provincial government on the payment of local taxes.

The provincial officials vowed to stay in Didipio village in Kasibu town until the Australian mining firm Oceana Gold Philippines pays its financial obligations “due the people of Nueva Vizcaya.”    

The foreign firm has ignored the cease-and-desist order which Cuaresma issued last month following its failure to pay taxes and quarrying fees.

Described to be Cagayan Valley’s first large-scale mining project, the Didipio gold-copper project of Oceana Gold is expected to provide the government at least P30 billion in national taxes during its 15-year operation as well as millions of pesos in local taxes and thousands of jobs for the host communities.

The venture has a financial and technical assistance agreement with the national government.

The 14-member provincial board is set to pass a resolution to withdraw its support for the Oceana mining project, which it unanimously endorsed in 2006.