TVIRD proj gets NCIP nod

MANILA, Philippines - The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has granted a Certificate of Precondition (CP) to TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc., fulfilling the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) requirement for a proposed new Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) in the Canatuan area in Zamboanga.

TVIRD is planning to undertake new exploration near Canatuan, targeting potential additional resources, which, if confirmed, will extend the mine life of the Canatuan project.

Signed by NCIP chair Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid, the CP was immediately forwarded to Leo Jasareno, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for his action.

Renne Subido, vice president for social commitment of TVIRD said TVIRD has fully complied with the requirements mandated by the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) that include conducting a series of consultations with the affected IPs through community assemblies facilitated by NCIP personnel.

“This is a clear indication that the NCIP has recognized TVIRD’s good governance program for its host communities,” Subido said, adding, “the NCIP conducted exhaustive consultation and due diligence to arrive at its certification of the will of the IPs”.

In another development, Tampakan, South Cotabato municipal tribal chieftain Bae Dalena Samling expressed her tribe’s disappointment over the decision of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to deny the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) application for the proposed $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold mine project.