|
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Lito Atienza has appealed to local
officials of Nueva Vizcaya, led by Gov. Luisa Lloren
Cuaresma, to consider the potential loss to the province
in terms of various economic benefits on their decision
to stop an ongoing mining project in the town of
Kasibu.
“We are
appealing to her to come to her senses. She may be
treading on illegal grounds,” Atienza said, referring to
the decision of the province’s local officials who led
villages in barricading the mines of the Australian
mining firm Oceana Gold Philippines in barangay Didipio
for its failure to pay taxes and quarrying fees.
The
local officials vowed to keep on barricading the mines
until the company pays its alleged financial
obligations.
The
Australian mining firm has ignored the cease-and-desist
order, which Cuaresma issued against the company last
month to pay taxes and quarrying fees.
The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
chief warned Nueva Vizcaya officials that exacting taxes
such as quarrying fees is illegal because the company,
which has been exploring minerals in Kasibu town for
more than 10 years now, is not into quarrying.
He said
merely moving out earth materials from the site for the
purpose of building roads and other infrastructure as
part of its mining operation is not quarrying. “In
quarrying, materials are sold, which is not the case,”
Atienza explained.
The
company is pushing construction activities as it moves
to the production stage next year. It is now
constructing roads in the mines.
Atienza
said he understand the concerns of Oceana considering
that it is a publicly listed company which has
obligations to its investors.
The
company’s investment in the country, Atienza said, is
huge and stopping its operations during its crucial
stage might boomerang on both the local and national
government, saying the company may eventually decide to
pull out its investment.
“They
should consider the potential loss if Oceana decides to
pull out its investment,” Atienza said.
Apparently, Atienza was shaken by the potential negative
impact of the move of Nueva Vizcaya officials, saying
any sign of weakness or defect in the Philippine Mining
Act will affect the country’s mining revitalization
program.
In fact,
Atienza said, the disruption of the operation of Oceana
may have already affected the country’s minerals
production target for the year, particularly gold and
copper.
Oceana
is one of only two foreign companies granted with
Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) by
the DENR, making it a partner of the national government
in gold and copper mineral production with a 50-50
share. The other company with FTAA is the Sagitarius
Mines, which operates in Tamapakan, South Cotabato.
Oceana
has committed an initial investment of $1.28 billion,
which, he said, could help boost the local economy of
the province.
The
company is also expected to pour in P30 billion in
national taxes during its first 15 years of operation.
Atienza
said he is now coordinating with concerned local
officials, led by the Nueva Vizcaya governor and the
members of the provincial board, “to open their minds.” |
