Ilocanos reject lifting of black sand mining ban in Ilocos Norte

ARCHIVED. SP member Atty. Toto Lazo advises SP member Atty. Joel R. Garcia to archive the draft resolution following the overwhelming rejection of Ilocanos to the plan to lift the total black sand mining ban in the province. (Tina Tan photos)

 

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Laoag City—The proposed draft resolution that would pave the way for the lifting of black sand mining in the province was rejected by Ilocanos invited for a public hearing on the issue.

In a show of force, Ilocanos stood up to register their rejection of the said resolution and their overall rejection of black sand mining in Ilocos Norte during the public hearing on June 6, 2014.

Attendees of the public hearing presided by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Atty. Joel R. Garcia were representatives from the religious sector, the academe, government and non-government organizations, indigenous peoples, research agencies as well as public and private individuals.

The controversial draft provincial resolution no. 2014-05-038, “rationalizing the position of the Ilocos Norte government on black sand mining” sponsored by Atty. Garcia of Batac City gathered negative feedback from several concerned citizens through mass media and social networking sites as the resolution aims to lift the ban on black sand mining particularly in rivers and creeks as recommended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Reacting to a previous resolution passed by the Ilocos Norte board in October 2013, “banning black sand mining in Ilocos Norte and enjoining the issuance of permits, urging the recall of permits already issued and voiding all favorable endorsements by local government units to mining applicants”, provincial environment and natural resources officer Juan delos Reyes wrote Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos on March 24, 2014, proposing several recommendations the board may adopt to protect investors, to which the Mining and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) had already granted valid mining permits, contracts or agreements with the national government.

Mr. Delos Reyes has recommended to the SP that the October resolution providing a number of limitations on the blanket ban be amended by specifying that the “ban shall cover only the stretch of the coastline municipalities of Ilocos Norte excluding rivers and creeks”.

He added that the same resolution shall be reinforced by a provincial ordinance consistent with existing laws, providing stringent rules, regulations and policies regarding black sand or magnetite mining in Ilocos Norte in accordance to Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Executive Order No. 79, “institutionalizing and implementing reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector, providing polices and guidelines to ensure environment protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources.”

 

PLEASE NOT AT OUR EXPENSE. Indigenous peoples representative Tony Pugyao pleads for government officials to also look after their welfare. (Tina Tan photo)

 Moved by Mr. Delos Reyes’ recommendations, Tony Pugyao, a village councilor Brgy. Cacafean, Marcos, Ilocos Norte, who is a member of the IP community living near the river expressed his dismay over the recommendation saying, “We, from the IP communities living at the foot of the mountains and along rivers and creeks are the ones to be primarily affected” should the provincial government allow black sand mining in rivers and creeks.

Shermon O. Cruz, an environment activist and currently works at the Center for Engaged Foresight in Laoag City cited several facts based on research studies saying, “Sand mining aggravates riverbank destabilization and Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Piddig sits along a meandering river. What they do upstream will affect everything downstream.”

So what should be an alternative for the province? Mr. Cruz replied, “Ilocos should learn from the Iloilo experience and develop the river as a product (not as a mining product but as a social and cultural product). Who wants an esplanade in Laoag, San Nicolas and Sarrat?”

He also noted that the famous sand dunes are natural barriers to future storm surges and tsunamis.

“Sand mining activities will surely increase Ilocos Norte's vulnerability to climate change impacts.”

According to Mr. Cruz, the province vulnerability to climate change has been earlier discussed by the World Wildlife Fund and the Bank of the Philippine Islands Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impact presentation by Moncini Hinay during the Resilient Cities, Brighter Futures Forum-Workshop held recently at the Laoag City auditorium.

A retired US Army officer, Oscar Visitacion from Bacarra town also shared his views at the committee hearing saying, “it’s good to make money but is it worth it for the environment? Let’s ban all those stuff please.” 

Citing a previous quarry site at Brgy. Masintoc in Paoay town, Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory coordinator of Ilocos Norte also reported that fish habitat and several coral polyps died due to previous quarrying operation there. He also claims that due to sand storm and while there was no more natural barrier, the Quiaoit River became shallow, resulting to dying of fish in some fish cages near the area.   

Catholic church says no to black sand mining (Tina Tan photo)

Due to an overwhelming opposition from those who attended the committee hearing, board member Vicentito M. Lazo, vice chairman of the committee on environment has recommended that the new resolution be archived and that Atty. Garcia, chair of the same committee may consider the sentiments of the key participants.

“The hearing was one of the best that I've attended so far. An honest to goodness assessment of the situation by the Committee on Environment,” Mr. Cruz said after the hearing.

Other non-government, media and private concerned citizens also reiterated their opposition and will continue to oppose future attempts to introduce similar resolutions rationalizing black sand mining, both small and large scale.

“The collective courage displayed by the people of Ilocos Norte is a very commendable and a model for mining-affected communities to follow. Your dissent against destructive mining is a contribution for the country’s resource conservation,” said Defend Ilocos Against Mining Plunder who likewise attended the hearing. 

SP member Atty. Joel R. Garcia speaks at the hearinng (Herdz Yumul photo)