Bishop still firm against mining

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena vowed to intensify his campaign against the entry of large-scale mining in Cagayan Valley despite his recent appointment by President Arroyo as chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

With Villena’s appointment, regional officials, particularly Nueva Vizcaya Vice Gov. Jose Gambito, have expressed apprehension over the fate of the region’s mining industry.

Villena’s vow to step up his anti-mining efforts doused speculations that his appointment as RDC head would soften his position.

The bishop has led local groups in opposing the multibillion-peso gold and copper mining venture of Australasia-Philippines Mining Inc. (APMI), a subsidiary of the Australian firm Climax-Arimco Mining Corp. (CAMC), in Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

"I did not ask for my appointment so I don’t feel indebted to the President. But I believe she has the sincere and honest motivation in appointing me," said Villena, who vowed to lead the region toward "humane, holistic and responsible development."

Villena said the recent environmental disasters have strengthened his resolve to continue advocating the non-entry of large-scale mining in Cagayan Valley or elsewhere in the country.

As RDC chairman, Villena, whose diocese covers this landlocked province and Quirino, said he would push for "a type of development that is centered on the preservation of lives and on the protection of the environment."

A former co-chairman of the Bishops-Businessmen Conference, Villena said development is not only about raking in more profits or furthering economic gains, but also protecting human lives and the environment and the future generation of Filipinos.

Last week, Villena led other anti-mining advocates here in filing a petition for mandamus against CAMC’s mining venture in the mountain village of Didipio.

The petitioners, led by the local Catholic Church, are asking the court to compel the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to cancel the environmental compliance certificate it had granted to the Didipio project.

The government and CAMC expect to start the gold-copper mining venture in September now that the DENR has given the go-signal following CAMC’s almost 10 years of gold and copper exploration in Didipio, which is also claimed by the neighboring Quirino town of Nagtipunan.

Besides the local revenue and thousands of jobs it would generate, the national government is expected to get at least P30 billion from the 15-year mining project.

Meanwhile, Gambito said that while he fully respects the President’s designation of Villena as RDC chairman, he could hardly comprehend how the bishop could effectively lead a council that pursues a development strategy that includes mining.

Gambito, however, declined to comment further on Villena’s possible handling of the RDC, saying the outspoken bishop has yet to convene the council.

Villena, whose appointment was signed by the President last Feb. 21, replaced Batanes Gov. Vicente Gato, who is now the council’s co-chairman.

As a development body, the RDC, which is directly under the Office of the President, is comprised of the region’s five governors, the regional heads of various government agencies, including the National Economic Development Authority, which heads the RDC secretariat, as well as representatives of different non-government organizations.

Earlier, Gato expressed hope that Villena would abide by the development plans laid out for the region, including the development of the mining industry, despite the bishop’s anti-mining advocacy.

Gato admitted that he was surprised by Villena’s appointment, saying there were no consultations before the President made her decision. But he said he respects the President’s prerogative.

However, Gambito said Villena should have declined his appointment, knowing that his anti-mining stance runs counter to the overall development strategy already laid out for the region.

"Because he has already made his position, he should have declined the appointment. How could he now reconcile his personal stand with the RDC framework, especially on the issue of mining?" he said.

Gambito, who led the 13-member provincial board in unanimously endorsing the Didipio project last year, advised Villena to also look at mining in a positive way and recognize the economic gains it could bring to the people rather than viewing it as totally evil.

Gambito said he believes that God created natural resources so the people could responsibly utilize them.

But if the bishop sees otherwise, he said, "We are bound to respect him, provided he also respects our position."