The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 6 (MGB-6) cleared that a small scale mining operation in Barangay Badiangan, Ajuy, Iloilo did not cause soil erosion and landslides as previously reported in local papers.
Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan of MGB-6 said that the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) of the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) for the Province of Iloilo conducted an investigation on April 14, 2011 to verify a complaint and news report against Pacific Ore and Minerals Exploration Development Corporation (POMEDCO).
The MMT-MRFC is spearheaded by MGB-6 with representatives from the Environmental Management Bureau, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)-LGU Iloilo, Community Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Iloilo and CENRO Barotac, and Process Foundation.
Director Juguan said that MGB-6 received a letter from Barangay Kagawad Renato Baluro of Barangay Badiangan, Ajuy, Iloilo complaining about illegal mining activities of POMEDCO in his barangay. Barangay Kagawad Baluro also complained that the mining company did not inform the concerned barangays of its project.
The Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of the Province of Iloilo also conducted a field investigation on April 7, 2011.
“Both investigation reports of PENRO Iloilo and MMT-MRFC Iloilo noted that there were no traces of the alleged soil erosion within the mining area. This was confirmed by residents frequenting the area,” clarified Director Juguan.
The two investigation reports concurred that the reported landslide was not caused by the mining activity as it is located 200-250 meters away from the mining area.
The landslide occurred way before the mining activity started, and in fact, presence of vegetation on the landslide area was already noticeable during the time of investigation, according to the investigation reports.
Clarifying the issue that the company is into illegal mining, Director Juguan cited the investigation reports saying that a small scale mining permit was issued by the Province of Iloilo on December 23, 2010 while an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) was issued by the Environmental Management Bureau on July 19, 2010 to POMEDCO.
The ECC is one of the major requirements prior the approval and issuance of a mining permit.
The investigation reports also noted documents showing the mining proponent conducted several public hearings in the barangays covered by its small scale mining permit. (MGB-6)
See related story at:
Philippine Information Agency:
“MGB-6 says small scale mining not cause of town landslides”
“PENRO: No truth to complaints vs. Ajuy mining operator”