NEWS

By Ime Sornito | Panay News | March 20, 2024

BUYCO

ILOILO – The provincial government of Iloilo would consider lifting the cease and desist order (CDO) against two mining companies conducting exploration in Pan de Azucar Island in the municipality of Concepcion if validation and investigation results by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 6 negate earlier reports on the presence of arsenic chemicals in the groundwater.

The potentially harmful chemical is specifically monitored in Barangay Taloto-an, one of the three barangays that comprise Pan de Azucar Island.

Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., head of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), said they have already forwarded to the EMB-6 the results of their field investigation from January 2024.

He disclosed that in a discussion with the EMB-6 director, Atty. Ramar Niel V. Pascua, the latter, revealed that the EMB-6 will validate PGENRO’s findings.

“Ma-conduct man sila sang validation. Ti, kon sala kami ti okay i-lift ta eh, pero sa subong mas importante ang welfare sang mga pumoluyo sang isla,” Buyco told Panay News.

To recall, the first condition by the provincial government in lifting the CDO against mining companies TVI Resource Development (PHILS) Inc. from Makati City and Mindoro Resources Ltd. from Canada is for them to present measures aimed at protecting the marine life of Pan De Azucar Island, preventing or mitigating the potential for arsenic contamination of groundwater, and until the conditions set forth as a result of the aforementioned investigation and evaluation are met.

The provincial government recently received a letter from TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. maintaining that they do not use any chemicals, particularly arsenic.

The letter also said the presence of arsenic is a pre-existing condition on the island, regardless of any exploration or mining activities, as arsenic naturally occurs within the radius of massive pyrite deposits.

In the same vein, Buyco explained that the provincial government and PGENRO do not point fingers at mining companies.

“Arsenic is naturally occurring. Ti kon pag-drill mo tapos nag-igu ka sa tunga may arsenic diri, sige drill mo lusot kaw sa idalom, naigu mo ang groundwater dala mo to ang arsenic. Ang groundwater nagalibot na sia sa bilog nga isla, kagamay sang ecosystem. Buksan to karon sang Tambaliza, ang tubig kuhaon, indi bala, sin-o ang nakainom sang arsenic?” said Buyco.

And, if the mining companies decide to press charges against the provincial government, Buyco said that Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is ready to face it since the welfare of the residents is a priority.

“Ti, file kamo kon gusto niyo mag-file sang kaso, amo na hambal ni gov. Amon ya importante ang mga tawo. Kung sala kami i-lift namon ang CDO, pero ang mahambal sina nga sala kami amo ang EMB and MGB,” Buyco added.

Currently, the provincial government is drafting a reply for the TVIRD, and the Office of the Governor is open to representatives from the said mining companies since they have been communicating to have a talk with the governor in the coming days.

In the letter of the TVIRD, a copy furnished with Panay News, they are asking for clarification on the CDO the company received on March 7 in its Mineral Processing and Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area in the municipality of Concepcion.

The said directive came directly from the Office of the Governor, who ordered the company to stop its exploration activities under its affiliate company, Pan de Azucar Mining Ventures Inc. (PdA).

“TVIRD maintains that it has not used any chemicals, much less arsenic, in connection with its exploration activities on Pan de Azucar Island.

The presence of arsenic is a pre-existing condition on the island, regardless of any exploration or mining activities, as arsenic naturally occurs within the radius of massive pyrite deposits,” part of the official statement sang TVIRD.

It added: “It is equally important to stress that TVIRD was caught by surprise by the abrupt and haphazard issuance of the CDO, considering that it was not afforded an opportunity to hear its side via a preceding Show Cause Order. The CDO likewise refers to an “investigation report,” which was not furnished to the company.”

The TVIRD is exploring all available legal remedies to protect its rights and interests under the Philippine Mining Act and applicable laws.

The said PdA Pyrite joint venture project is owned by TVIRD along with permit holders Minimax Mineral Exploration Corp. and MRL Nickel Philippines Inc., which conducted previous exploration activities without encountering issues with Arsenic.

Source: Panay News