Mayors oppose offshore mining

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Offshore mining operations should not be done in Negros Occidental, according to a position paper signed by the mayors of the province comprising the Association of Chief Executives (ACE).

ACE president, Mayor David Albert Lacson of E. B. Magalona town, said the mayors had a Thursday meeting with Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. regarding their concerns on the dangers of offshore mining operations.

In the same meeting, Provincial Environment Management Officer Ma. Aleta Nunez briefed the mayors of the possible effects of offshore mining activities on coastal barangays of many local government units, Lacson said. All the mayors said they are against offshore mining and they sign the position paper in a form of a resolution to oppose it, he said.

The Provincial Board has earlier expressed opposition to offshore mining activities in Negros Occidental, but in spite of this, two more mining companies have informed the body of their plans to conduct offshore explorations in two cities and three towns in southern Negros, PB Member Emilio Yulo III earlier said.

These are the Cypress and Silver Mining Development corporations, which will soon start their offshore explorations in Ilog, Binalbagan and Hinigaran towns, and in Himamaylan and Kabankalan cities, Yulo said.

"Offshore explorations are more dangerous than those being done in the mountains because the coral reefs that may be destroyed will take a long time to regenerate," he said, as he revealed that almost all coastal towns and cities in Negros Occidental have been covered with permits to conduct offshore explorations, approved by the national government.

Early this year, the PB approved a resolution opposing existing and future applications of mining exploration permits, processing and approval of new mining lease contracts and agreements in the province for the next 25 years. (FREEMAN)