LC diocese against black sand mining in IN

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY—After a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had a change of heart and softened his once hardline stand against black sand mining in Ilocos Norte, local Catholic Church leaders here said they are against it.

As the province of Ilocos Norte is fast becoming an eco-tourism destination in this northern gateway of Luzon, known for its rich natural landscapes, mushrooming renewable energy projects and heritage sites, the idea of entertaining black sand mining as part of the local government unit’s investment program runs counter to the long-term development agenda of the government, this was the message of Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba to Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos.

The bishop delivered the message in a courtesy call of the administrative board of the Diocese of Laoag to the governor.

“Black sand mining is ultimately disadvantageous to the government as we have already seen the devastation… in other provinces such as in the neighboring provinces of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Cagayan,” Mr. Mayugba said in an interview.

“Clearly, we are against black sand mining in Ilocos Norte,” Mayugba added referring to the position of the Diocese of Laoag backed by several environmentalists and various multi-sectoral groups in the province.

On October 2013, the provincial board unanimously approved Resolution No. 016-2013, banning all types of black sand mining operations in the 21 municipalities and two cities here.

However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has called the attention of the Ilocos Norte government through Ms. Marcos to reconsider their stand and conform to the national law.

This refers to the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Executive Order No. 79, providing a clear cut definition of where not to mine such as those that may affect critical watersheds and several protected areas.

As the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has already granted several mining permits in several parts of Ilocos Norte, SP member Joel Garcia sponsored a draft resolution  “rationalizing the position of the Ilocos Norte government on black sand mining and exhorting the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to rigorously enforce the provisions, policies and guidelines of Executive Order No. 79 of Republic Act No. 7942 otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.”

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 states that “all mineral resources in public and private lands, including timber or forest lands shall be open to mineral agreements or financial or technical assistance agreement applications.”

That under the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units (LGUs) have also the duty and authority to protect and co-manage the environment and enhance the right of the people to a balance ecology.

Atty. Garcia’s resolution is due for second reading at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

For her part, Ms. Marcos maintained that as of the moment, Ilocos Norte maintains a “total ban” in black sand mining.

She however posited in an earlier investment forum with the Foreign Chamber of Commerce held at the Ilocos Norte Capitol that “mining continue to be a thorny issue as the rich mineral resources of the province such as copper and gold remains sadly unexplored.”

In a related development, provincial environment and natural resources officer Juan delos Reyes said the total ban on black sand mining should be reconsidered by the people of Ilocos Norte.

He said mining in silted rivers and creeks should be allowed as it is beneficial to the population unlike those being conducted in coastal areas and along the shoreline.