DENR still not revoking Romblon mining company’s operations

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DENR still not revoking Romblon mining company’s operations

Tensions flared Thursday last week between police and local residents who wanted to stop the APMC from taking away nickel ores from Sibuyan. Meanwhile, an advocacy group has condemned the violent police dispersal of a human barricade at the island. In a statement on Friday, Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said several residents were hurt, as they were trying to “guard their communities and protect the environment” from mining activities in the area. “We demand an immediate investigation on the authorities involved in the violent dispersal,” Agham campaign officer Cleng Julve said. PNP Romblon director Col. Jonathan Paguio, meanwhile, defended the police’s actions but will look into abuses on their end. (photo courtesy of Jing Barrios)

ROMBLON – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has not yet revoked the mining operations of Altai Philippines Mining Corp. (APMC) in Sibuyan Island here despite slapped with a string of violations.

DENR Executive director Rodne Galicha said, they identified four violations that the APMC had committed, including of Presidential Decree 1067 or the “Water Code of the Philippines;” DENR Administrative Order 2004-04 and its implementing rules and regulations; section four of PD1586 that establishes an environmental impact statement system including other environmental management related measures; and section 77 of PD 705 on applying a scientific cutting and rotation in all forest lands.

He, however, clarified that although a notice of violation (NOV) was issued against APMC, the DENR has not revoked APMC’s exploration permit and its mineral production agreement with the company.

Specifically, the violations of the APMC are as follows: shore easement construction of structures, no foreshore lease agreement (Sec. 2c); salvage zone construction, construction of causeway without Environmental Compliance Certificate, and cutting/clearing of trees without permit.

“Items 1 and 2 are included in the Notice of Violation (NOV) issued on Feb. 1, 2023, and received by APMC on Feb. 2, 2023. The company is directed to stop further developing the area and avoid unnecessary activities that would worsen the situation in the area,” wrote Galicha.

“NOV for Items 3 and 4 were supposed to be served to APMC on 3 February 2023, but the representative of the company declined to receive due to lack of authority to accept. DENR shall then post the NOV on the gate of APMC and other strategic places of operations.”

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Friday said that the Senate is ready to investigate the nickel mining project in Romblon amid calls for Congress to look into the alleged violations of the Altai Philippines Mining Company (APMC). Zubiri added that Congress will also impose more taxes on mining companies to increase the country’s revenue from industry. “If there is a resolution filed, we can do that [in the investigation]. They can approach senators and the senator can file a resolution and the Committee on Senate environment and natural resources can hear that. It is up to the committee to hear that. We are open to any environmental degradation claims that need to be investigated,” Zubiri said.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that the DENR will continue its consultation on the government’s move to revitalize the mining industry after residents of Sibuyan Island have opposed the operation of APMC in the area.

In a press conference, Yulo-Loyzaga also defended the decision of the Marcos administration to allow the operation of the mining companies, saying the country needs minerals.

“We need minerals, you all know that. How we balance really depends on our understanding of the complexities that we faced. We cannot just choose one approach. We need to be sensitive to everything that is going on so on the Sibuyan, we need to take a good look at that,” Yulo-Loyzaga said.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said, the DENR is implementing a mitigation hierarchy to minimize the impact of mining operations in the environment. “When you can avoid it, you must. If you can reduce it, you must. If you need to rehabilitate, you must and if you cannot fully rehabilitate, you must be engaged in some form of compensatory action,” Yulo-Loyzaga said. She said that the mining companies will be tasked to undertake an environment enhancement program. “We are looking at the SDMP (Social Development and Management Program) in particular to see how they may be part of a general resilience and risk management objective for the communities and ecosystems that are going to be destroyed but the Environment Potential Enhancement Program also needs to be reviewed. There will be a very careful look at climate related risk, and other multiple hazards that are occurring in the area,” she explained. Yulo-Loyzaga said that the DENR will also establish a multisectoral advisory council for each bureaus.

She also reiterated the need to review the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the Small-Scale Mining Act.

“We also need to review the Clean Water, Clear Air, Solid Waste, Climate Change and Disaster Risk and Management Acts. We can no longer think that these are not interrelated. They all intersect with each other,” Yulo-Loyzaga said.

CHURCH HITS ROMBLON MINING

THE Roman Catholic Diocese of Romblon has warned of “tragic consequences” if a nickel mining project in the province continues.

Bishop Narciso Villaver Abellana visited Sibuyan Island residents who have been protesting the large-scale project, which the local clergy opposes.

Social media photos showed the bishop shedding tears while talking to demonstrators who have been blocking the entry of trucks to the mining site since Jan. 29, 2023.

“Unchecked human activity will have its tragic consequences, running the risk of destroying nature, thus running the risk of destroying humanity,” the clergy said in a statement late Wednesday.

“Land is life. Water is life. We only have one world to live in. Let us protect the environment! Let us protect nature! No to mining!” Abellana said.

The island is often referred to as the “Galapagos of Asia” because of its rich biodiversity and pristine remoteness from all the mainlands.

LGU HELPLESS IN STOPPING MINING OPERATIONS

San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco reiterated that the local government unit has no grounds to halt the mining operation and exploration proceedings since permits of APMC were approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

“As we face one of our island’s greatest battles, please know that we are one in protecting our only home. But, know also that we have different functions,” Tansingco said in a social media post.

She earlier pointed out that the local government had no jurisdiction over the mining project as it was a national project exploration process permitted by the DENR and the BoC since 2005.

A public consultation in coordination with barangay (village), city council and regional council of Mimaropa continues regarding the exportation of at least 50,000 metric tons of nickel ore samples from the island before it can be delivered to Hong Kong for testing, she said.

GATCHALIANS HANDS OFF FROM APMC

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, one of the owners of the APMC, said he is not involved in mining and exploration on the island as he was “hands off” from their family business.

The former Valenzuela City mayor also vowed to “look into it” since their family business is imbued with public interest.

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