OWING to several complaints due to the on-going extraction of mineral reserves in the province, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to properly evaluate applications for the exploration and extraction of minerals to ensure strict compliance to all environmental safety measures under Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. Sponsored by SP member Shirley O. Sin, draft provincial resolution no. 2006-09-197 was unanimously passed by the provincial board during its regular session on October 23 in a move to ensure that mining applicants in the province would strictly adhere to the governing rules and regulations of the mining law. According to the lady lawmaker from Laoag City, she was prompted to sponsor the said resolution due to several complaints coming from affected local residents, particularly in Vintar and Pasuquin, where quarrying and mining operations are currently being undertaken. Citing an official complaint filed by Vintar Vice Mayor Antonio Foronda, Sin reported that the local official has complained about the presence of gravel and sand operators in their area without clearances and permits duly approved by the barangay, municipal and provincial authorities. SP member Ameurfina A. Respicio also noted several complaints from cooperative groups in Carasi, Ilocos Norte where Rigid Aggregates Mining Corporation has applied for a large-scale iron ore mining operation in Sitio Lammin. Respicio said the cooperative groups in Carasi were not consulted when Rigid applied for mining extraction in the area. It was also noted in the same complaint that Rigid is also being accused of illegally cutting trees in the area. Several officials and local residents of Pasuquin, Pinili and Burgos have also filed complaints against mining operators in their localities, saying the applicants have not complied with all the policies and guidelines of the safe mining. To date, at least three mining companies are currently operating in Ilocos Norte. These are Rigid, which operates in Carasi; Ilocos Norte Mining Corporation, which operates in Pinili; and Northern Mining Corporation, which extracts feldspar and silica in Currimao, Pasuquin and Burgos. Aside from passing of the resolution addressed to DENR Sec. Angelo T. Reyes, SP member Da Vinci M. Crisostomo, also said a public hearing would be conducted as he enjoined the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, DENR, the mining operators and concerned residents to attend so they could all thresh out the issues and concerns of the mining operations. Crisostomo, who chairs the committee on good government, pointed out that there is a need to conduct an in-depth investigation of these issues as it appears from the complaints that mining applicants had not properly consulted with local authorities in the barangay, municipal and provincial levels. No schedule however had been set for the public hearing. Leilanie G. Adriano
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