SC asked: Bar mining firm in Ilocos, P'sinan

MANILA, Philippines - A group led by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to stop the operations of a mining firm in Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan.

In a 35-page petition, Pimentel’s group asked the SC to issue a writ of kalikasan and temporary environmental protection order barring the implementation of the contract forged by the previous Arroyo administration with Altamina Exploration and Resources Inc. (Altamina) for the extraction of magnetite ore along the shores and offshore areas of the two provinces.

The petitioners argued that the mining operations have been posing danger to the health of residents and also to the environment.

“We seek environmental justice, more than just environmental protection, for justice comes with ensuring the people’s security for livelihood, shelter, and dignity with preference for those who have less,” the group said.

On the technical aspect, the petitioners also asked the SC to nullify the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement signed by former executive secretary Leandro Mendoza, acting on behalf of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, with Altamina on June 29, 2010, a day before President Aquino assumed the presidency.

Pimentel was joined by Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino; Santa, Ilocos Sur Mayor Jose Jesus Bueno; and residents of Ilocos Sur in filing the petition.