No offshore mining in Cagayan, says DENR report

MANILA, Philippines - No mining is being done off Buguey, Cagayan, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reported.

The vessel seen off Buguey in mid-October was extracting sand for sampling purposes in Minganga Este, Buguey,” Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta said in a report to the DENR.

These are the findings of a site visit and validation made by the MGB, Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police and the National Economic Development Authority, Ancheta said.

The vessel had a shifting permit from the Philippine Port Authority, he said, adding that a Customs officer who boarded the vessel confirmed that the vessel extracted sand for sampling purposes only.

“The result of the validation conducted by a neutral team reflects the real situation in the area and we have high hopes that the issues and concerns regarding this perennial controversy can now finally be put to rest.”

“As the validation team report states, at the time of the visit, there was no ongoing mining operation in Minanga Este,” said Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena, chair of the Regional Development Council-2, in a letter to Buguey Mayor Ignacio M. Taruc.

Taruc earlier appealed for the intervention of Villena on the alleged extraction of magnetite sand off Buguey.

“I am satisfied that the validation team was able to meet with you together with the Albucoda,” Villena said.

Albucoda stands for the Alliance of Buguey for Community Development Association, a group associated with Taruc, and reportedly supported by a multimillionaire contractor from Cagayan. The group has alleged that a Chinese vessel was extracting magnetite sand as a possible additive for high strength concrete, such as for building foundations.

Magnetite is actually used to make steel, magnets, paints, ink, paper, jewelry and cosmetics.

In April, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza suspended dredging operations off Buguey because mineral extraction is banned 200 meters off the coastline.

The DENR regional office has urged the group to show evidence that magnetite sand mining was actually happening on the northern shorelines of the province.

In November, Licerio M. Antiporda, Buguey’s acting mayor, wrote Villena strongly denying the allegations of black sand mining.

“The report was exaggerated by my political opponents composing Albucoda in order to discredit my present administration in relation to the 2010 elections,” he said.