Quirino denies endorsing Aussie mining project

CABARROGUIS, Quirino — The provincial government yesterday clarified that it has no clear stand yet on whether to endorse or not the controversial Australian firm-owned gold-copper project in a remote disputed mountain village here.

Vice Governor Dakila Cua, also the provincial board’s presiding officer, said they have yet to come up with a common stand whether to endorse or not the full operation of the Australian owned-Climax-Arimco Mining Corp. (CAMC) in the mineral-rich Didipio village.

Didipio, which is also being claimed by Nueva Vizcaya as part of its territory, has endorsed the mining project last September through a unanimous vote by the 13-member provincial board, despite the earlier rejection of the municipal council of Kasibu town.

Quirino’s Nagtipunan town, which is also claiming Didipio as part of its territorial jurisdiction, also endorsed the mining project through the town’s municipal council led by Vice Mayor Rexmel Decapia.

However, Cua said Quirino is still studying the pros and cons of the project. In fact, he said the provincial government and his father, Quirino Rep. Junie Cua, have been studying the effects of the Didipio project on the environment.

"We have efforts right now to hire or request help from independent groups to give us technical data and advise us on the effects of this mining operation. Hindi naman kami gaya-gaya basta (sa Nueva Vizcaya). We will make our decision," he said.