MGB Region III airs side on Zambales mines issues

This has reference to the column of Mr. Jarius Bondoc entitled “If no one will, then P-Noy must stop Zambales Mines” that appeared in Jan. 27, 2014 issue of The Philippine STAR regarding the appeal of Dr. Benito Molino of Sta. Cruz, Zambales against what he alleged as destructive mining in his town, and other mining related issues in Zambales.

In the interest of fair play and truth, we would like to give our comments on the matter/issues raised by Mr. Bondoc, as follow:

1. On the appeal of Mr. Molino

The complaint of Dr. Molino of the Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales (CCOSZ) against mining operations in their municipality was acted upon by this Office since July of 2012 wherein ocular inspection was conducted to assess the environmental impacts of mining in the said municipality. Based on the results of investigation, certain recommendations have been made for implementation of the concerned mining companies namely: BenguetCorp Nickel Mines Inc., Eramen Minerals, Inc., Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. and LnL Archipelago Minerals Inc. to address the issues/concerns raised by the CCOSZ.

Relative to the traffic problem encountered by the municipality due to hauling operations, the mining companies have implemented the measures to address such issue as agreed during the meeting called by the Environmental Management Bureau-Region III sometime in February of 2013.

Likewise, in response to the letter request of the NIA Region III dated Sept. 19, 2013 seeking assistance with regard to damages to farmlands and irrigation infrastructures allegedly brought about by mining operations during typhoon Labuyo, the four operating mining companies were requested and shouldered the cost of cleaning up NIA irrigation canals worth P600,000 aside from providing their trucks/other equipment in such cleanup works. Such actions of the mining companies have been acknowledged by the NIA in its letter dated Oct. 11, 2013.

Through a letter dated Dec. 16, 2013, this Office ordered above-named mining companies to conduct remediation measures within the mine site to effectively control the complained discoloration and siltation of rivers and farmlands. The mining companies were also ordered to do repair works of the roads that have been used in the hauling operations. The concerned mining companies commenced their remediation measures and rehabilitation works last Jan. 4, 2014.

2. On five large operating mines in Sta. Cruz, Zambales said to be owned by Chinese nationals:

As of to date, there are only four mining companies commercially producing nickel laterite ore in Zambales under approved Mineral Production Sharing Agreements. namely: BenguetCorp Nickel Mines, Inc., Eramen Minerals, Inc., Zambales Diversified Metals Corp., and Lnl Archipelago Minerals, Inc., the designated operator of Filipinas Mining Corp. Records would show that all these mining firms are all Filipino corporations duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

3. On the allegation of Mr. Bondoc that the local MGB, DILG, police and municipal officials are in the pocket of Chinese miners:

We in this Regional Office of the MGB strongly and vehemently deny such malicious accusation of Mr. Bondoc. As shown above, this Office has been doing its mandate the best it can to address the issues/concerns arising from the mining activities not only in Zambales but in other provinces of the region as well. We are not tolerating wrong doings of mining companies, if any, in exchange for money. Before the above-mentioned companies are issued Mineral Ore Export Permit which is necessary for the shipment of mineral ore, personnel of this Office are conducting field validation of the said ore and the mining companies are required to submit their proof of payment of excise taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Hoping that this comment be published to clarify matters. — ATTY. DANILO U. UYKIENG, OIC-Regional Director, Mines and Geoscience Bureau, Regional Office III