Island residents want mining stockpiles removed

GUIUAN, E. SAMAR, Philippines  — Residents of four barangays of Manicani island of this town, who belonged to the anti-mining group, have demanded for the removal of the low grade nickel ore stockpiles of the Hinatuan Mining Corporation.

To dramatize their demand, they staged a rally the other day asking HMC to remove the stockpiles that they said pose danger to the environment and the people of the island. Their demand ran counter to the pro-mining group that has been blocking HMC from removing the stockpiles.

Tito Abucejo, 59, barangay chairman of Buenavista, one of the four barangays of this island, went to the picket line to avoid a clash between the pro and anti-mining groups. He said the four village chiefs agreed for the removal of the stockpiles because these threaten the residents for being prone to landslides during rainy days.

Abucejo said the pro-mining group has formed a barricade at the barangay port of Buenavista to stop a barge from transporting the portable drilling machine to be unloaded in his barangay.

The DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau has cleared the removal of the stockpiles from the island via a letter signed by Leo Jasareno, national director of the bureau, last July 1 and addressed to Manuel Zamora, Jr., chairman of Nickel Asia Corporation based in Taguig City.

Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca of DENR-8 told The Freeman that his office had issued a memorandum, dated June 25, 2014, recommending for the disposition of the nickel ore stockpiles to prevent siltation in the island and water pollution along the coasts.  (FREEMAN)