Rid Vizcaya of mining explorations, GMA told

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena has called on President Arroyo to heed the sentiments of local folk to rid the province of intrusions by mining companies.

The outspoken cleric, who sent a personal letter to the President last week, condemned the continuing presence of several foreign mining companies in the province despite persistent opposition from affected villages mostly in the uplands.

Villena, co-chairman of the influential Bishops-Businessmen Conference, singled out the Australian-owned Climax Arimco Mining Corp. for its continuing stay in Didipio, a remote village in Kasibu town, despite growing resistance from the villagers.

Didipio is located in the boundary of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya and Nagtipunan, Quirino where Climax Arimco is at present exploring for copper and gold deposits in an area of at least 30,000 hectares.

The residents there, mostly Ifugaos, Kalanguyas, Ibalois and Bugkalots, fear that their agricultural lands may face inundation due to the mining activities. — Charlie Lagasca