NEWS

By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay | Philippine News Agency | February 13, 2025 6:35pm

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Representative Antonio Agapito Legarda is pushing for sustainable development rather than having mining activities in the province which he said would only destroy its rich natural resources.

“Antique is blessed with rich natural resources that I will fight until the end the proposed mineral reservation,” Legarda said in an interview Thursday.

Legarda said he is studying if there is a need to pass a legislative measure to block the proposed mineral reservation by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) covering 3,715 hectares in the towns of Patnongon, Sibalom, and San Remigio.

He, however, added that he is getting reassurance from officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which supervises the MGB, that they would respect the sentiments of the people.

During their regular session on Feb. 10, the Antique Provincial Board approved a resolution expressing the strong opposition of the province to the proposed mineral reservation.

“While the mineral reservation proposal does not immediately authorize mining, it opens doors to future mining activities, raising critical concerns regarding potential threats to sustainable development, environmental integrity, and community well-being,” Antique Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and sponsor of the resolution, said.

The resolution states that “[t]he Province of Antique stands united in its commitment to preserving its natural heritage for future generations, hereby strongly opposes the proposed mineral reservation declaration and calls for the protection of the mountains and invaluable resources they hold.”

Senator Loren Legarda earlier called for investments in green technology, sustainable agriculture, and community-based eco-tourism in Antique, her home province, rather than pursuing mining.

“Our economy thrives on agriculture, fisheries, and eco-tourism industries that are sustainable and rooted in our culture and identity as Antiqueños,” Senator Legarda said.

She added that Antique is home to two protected areas, the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park and the Sibalom Natural Park, under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018.

These protected areas preserve the rich bio-diversity, provide critical water sources, and serve as foundations for agriculture and eco-tourism in Antique.

Source: Philippine News Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.