Romblon gov to contest court ruling vs mining moratorium

ROMBLON, Romblon, Philippines – The regional trial court (RTC) here has declared unconstitutional an executive order of the provincial government imposing a moratorium on mining in the province. But Romblon Gov. Eduardo Firmalo vowed to fight the court’s resolution and put an end to all forms of mining in the province.

Last Jan. 17, the RTC issued a resolution, under Special Civic Action Case No. V-1906, granting the petition of Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corp. (SNPDC) for declaratory relief against local issuances that barred metallic mining in the province.  The court order virtually paves the way for SNPDC to proceed with its exploration in Romblon.

In a statement this week, Firmalo said he “would challenge this resolution and stand by my (earlier) executive order.”

“It seems this will be a test case of mining versus local autonomy. I believe we will win in the end because as the caretakers of our province, local leaders should agree to protect the environment by measures bound by law. I do not think that the executive order and municipal resolutions are unconstitutional.”

Firmalo and the municipality of San Fernando on Sibuyan Island, in separate executive orders, earlier had barred SNPDC from proceeding with its exploration. Specifically, Firmalo’s Executive Order No. 001, s.2011, declared a moratorium on mining.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau also stopped SNPDC from working on its mining claims pending an investigation into complaints filed of the Catholics Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and other groups.

Firmalo said he and Alyansa Tigil Mina would challenge the court’s resolution.

San Fernando Mayor Dindo Rios argued that local officials are empowered by the Local Government Code which mandates them to protect local resources and the people from the devastating effects of industries like mining.