‘Consult LGUs on mining permit applications’

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon is urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to consult local government units (LGUs) before acting on applications for mining permits.

Marañon made the call after four bishops, in a recent meeting, furnished him with a list of 33 applications for exploration, mineral production and technical agreements in the province pending with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

These are on top of the six mining permits covering a total of 6,931.15 hectares which the DENR previously approved.

Bishops Vicente Navarra of the Diocese of Bacolod, Jose Advincula Jr. of San Carlos, John Du of Dumaguete and Patricio Buzon of Kabankalan recently launched their campaign against large-scale mining, which, they claimed, is "environmentally destructive."

The bishops called on President Arroyo to recall all approved financial technical assistance agreements and other mineral agreements, and declare a moratorium on large-scale mining permits, licenses, agreements and other instruments until a new legal framework has been set in place.

Marañon said it is important that the DENR involves local governments in approving mining applications, adding that local chief executives are more knowledgeable about the situation in their respective areas.

They are also mandated to protect their constituents against potential hazards, he added.

The mining applications cover a total of 191,596.98 hectares mostly in the sixth district of Negros Occidental, specifically in Hinobaan, Sipalay, Ilog, Cauayan, Kabankalan, Himamaylan and Candoni, as well as in Cadiz, Sagay, Toboso, Escalante and San Carlos in northern Negros.

Marañon said he has received complaints from mayors who claimed that they were not aware of any applications for mining permits in their turfs.

Marañon himself said he only knew of just one such application.

He said the applications do not pass through local governments, which the DENR only furnishes copies of the approved permits.

Marañon has been wary of mining following the closure of the Maricalum Mining Company in Sipalay in 2001 due to environmental degradation.