Tribe leaders express 'support" to Canadian mining firm

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Assured that a Canadian mining firm  would undertake responsible mining operations,  the traditional leaders of the Subanon tribe in the  three provinces of Zamboanga peninsula expressed support to the firm's operation.

The tribe leaders believe that the mining operation will help in the rehabilitation of gold-rich Balabag village being exploited and laced with toxic by illegal miners who were recently  driven out from Bayog town.

The council of elders and leaders of Pikumpungan Subanen Lupa Pusaka (PSLP) – an organization of Subanen tribe officials covering six municipalities - urged the Departmernt of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to expedite the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to TVI Resource Development Phils. Inc. (TVIRD) for its Balabag gold-silver project in the town of Bayog in Zamboanga del Sur.

The traditional leaders said they supported the TVIRD  because of the "responsible mining operation" it had undertaken  in sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

The group stressed the need for an environmental clean-up of the toxic wastes and pollution left by illegal miners in Sitio Balabag.

“The undertakings cannot be implemented unless an ECC is issued in favor of TVIRD to commence environmental clean-up,” the resolution stated in urging the DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to approve the application of TVIRD.

In a two-page resolution signed and endorsed by the traditional leaders, they urged the EMB to approve the application of TVIRD saying that “it is high time to release the ECC of the company.”

The group said its 8,000 members will benefit from the payment of royalty fees, which are computed based on the company's gross revenues.

The payment of royalties to host indigenous communities is mandated by Republic Act 7942.

The tribal leaders also commended TVIRD for its social projects that address the development needs of the Subanen community in sitio Canatuan where it has been operating for close to 20 years

“The social development projects intended for the community will also benefit the Subanen people in Balabag in the event TVIRD will start its operations,” part of the tribal leaders’ resolution said citing social and environmental commitments of the company.