Vizcaya board nixes $350-M mine project

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Citing environmental violations, among others, the provincial board has withdrawn its 2005 resolution endorsing a multibillion mining project here, a move that further worsened the rift between the provincial government and a foreign mining giant tasked by the national government to undertake what could be the region’s first-large scale mining venture.

On Wednesday, the country’s first Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) has been rejected by the Novo Vizcayanos with the passage of a resolution withdrawing support and endorsement to the Didipio project,” said senior board member Edu Balgos, the prime mover in calling for the pullout of the $350-million Didipio Gold-Copper Project of the Australian firm OceanaGold Philippines.

In an unprecedented move, voting seven to three, the previously pro-mining provincial board led by Vice Gov. Jose Gambito has withdrawn its support and endorsement it made in 2005 that led to the development of the Didipio project, the first, and so far the only two large-scale mining projects to be granted with FTAA by the national government since the enactment of the 1995 Mining Act.

On Sept. 7, 2005, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a (conditional) resolution endorsing the project believing the company shall be true to its word, states the provincial board resolution passed during its last regular session Wednesday.

Regrettably, OceanaGold, the resolution added, disregarded downright its commitment, (including) its blatant refusal to pay fees and taxes to the province which are utter display of (Oceana’s) arrogance, betrayal and disrespect to (local) authorities.

Besides alleged environmental violations, human rights abuses and non-payment of local taxes, the mining company, the board claimed also failed to comply with its promise to develop a road linking its project site to the nearest all-weather road. 

Inhabited by indigenous tribes, Kasibu town’s remote gold-and copper-rich Didi­pio village, is nestled along the mountain boundary of this province and Quirino, which also claims the village as part of its territorial jurisdiction.

Aside from Balgos, those who voted for the passage of the resolution were board members Efren Quiben, Tony Dupiano, Amado Mangaoang, Geraldine Burton and Merlie Talingdan, who is the board’s environment committee head.

Those who voted against it were board members Patricio Dumlao Jr., Filma Dulay-Perez and Reina Nita Tidang. Strangely, board James Toledo, their partymate from President Arroyo’s Lakas-CMD-Kampi, opted to abstain, while another partymate, board member Maybelle Dumlao, was not present during the voting.

The resolution came while the provincial government and the foreign firm are embroiled in legal battle over payment of local taxes as the latter claimed they were exempted from paying such as embodied in its FTAA with the national government.