Leyte SP sets another consultative meeting with mining companies

By Provincial Media Relation Center
August 6, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Leyte is expecting again the presence of two mining companies as it rescheduled another consultative meeting this August 17 to shed light on the various issues and concern as regards mining exploration in several Leyte towns.

The Provincial Board’s committee on environment headed by Board Member Roque Tiu revealed that they have yet to gather thorough information on the mining issue that they are set to get to the bottom of this by inviting yet again the two other mining companies who were not in attendance during the July 27 consultative meeting.

These companies are the the Oregon Mining and Development Corporation (Oregon) and Lazarus Mining Corporation (Lazarus) but who informed in advance that they would be unable to attend the said meeting.

The committee is expecting the appearance of Oregon and Lazarus this August 17 which are targeting the exploration of magnetite sand and other associated mineral deposits in the northern part of Leyte’s coastal areas covering Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel and Babatngon.

Meanwhile, it was found out from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that Carigara Bay is declared as a marine sanctuary and being such would not allow large-scale fishing and large-scale mining.

Other Board Members such as Atty. Nico Villasin from Leyte’s Second District that already with BFAR informing Carigara Bay, which is part of Leyte’s coastal area, is a declared marine sanctuary, he is poised to oppose the mining exploration as this would affect marine resources and the people’s main source of living.

Board Member Tiu, on the other hand, also suggests of a visit by the board members to Brgy. Pongon in MacArthur, Leyte where another mining exploration is underway by Nicua Mining Corporation (Nicua).

During the early months of this year, hundreds of residents in Brgy. Pongon, MacArthur, Leyte staged a protest rally and demanded for the permanent stoppage of the mining exploration in their area claiming the activity, which they beleived is more than just a mining exploration, has already caused massive floods and destruction of vegetation in their area.