Nueva Vizcaya folk: Lift mining suspension
By Leander C. Domingo
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: Amid fear of losing their livelihood and jobs, sectoral leaders, residents and workers of Barangay Didipio, Kasibu town, appealed to Gov. Carlos Padilla on Wednesday to recall his order to “restrain the operation” of OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGPI).
During the dialogue with the provincial government, the residents said they wanted the mining firm to continue operating pending finalization of the renewal of its Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) with the national government as thousands of families would lose their source of livelihood should it stop operating.
Pastor Efren Bulawan, a Didipio elder, said he was worried about how the community would be able to provide for basic family needs and pay for the education of their children if the mine closes.
“The community residents recognize the development that the company has brought to their community and how the mine has operated responsibly for the past years. More than 4,000 people are residing in Didipio currently,” Bulawan added.
Bulawan said the OGPI and its contractors, including the homegrown service provider Didipio Community Development Corp. (DiCorp), employs around 1,500 workers.
Padilla issued the order based on his position that the mining firm should not operate as the renewal of its FTTA was still pending as of June 20, despite confirmation from the national government that the company can continue to operate while the renewal is being completed.
Didipio village officials acting on the governor’s order have put up a blockade that has impeded access to and from the Didipio mine since July 1.
The OGPI holds an FTAA with the national government for 25 years, renewable for the same length of time.
David Way, OGPI general manager, said the company has commenced the renewal process of their FTAA since March of last year.
“Upon the expiry of the first term of our FTAA last June 20, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau authorized our continued operations at Didipio pending confirmation of the FTAA renewal,” Way added.
He said the company filed a petition for preliminary injunction with the Regional Trial Court of Nueva Vizcaya to end what it considers as “unauthorized restraint” on its operation, but this was denied.
Source: The Manila Times
Posted by: Job Paul Bulos