Davao Sur tribal communities being consulted on mine project

DAVAO DEL SUR, Philippines  â€“ Officials of Kiblawan town here are working with other government agencies to ensure that tribal communities in the area of the proposed Tampakan mining project are consulted before any developmental work starts.

“These tribal communities are empowered by law and the municipal government of Kiblawan recognizes that,” Mayor Marivic Diamante said.

According to Diamante, she is working closely with the mayors of Tampakan in South Cotabato, Malungon in Sarangani, and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat to ensure that tribal communities in these municipalities “are protected by law.”

Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), the government contractor for the Tampakan project, “is also serious in consulting with the tribal communities, they have a very long process to ensure that they get the proper consent from the tribes,” said Diamante.

Earlier, Fulong Gideon Salutan, municipal tribal chieftain of Kiblawan, said they “appreciate the mayors’ help in ensuring that the tribal communities are protected.”