Zambales residents seek mining halt in province

Residents of Zambales, one of the country’s mineral reservations sites, continue to call for a stop in mining operations in the province amid worsening environmental destruction, a non-government organization said.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) said it would continue to appeal to the government after the Court of Appeals (CA) recently rejected the plea of Zambaleños to stop mining in the province.

Earlier, the CA issued its decision not to grant an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) to stop nickel mining in the town of Sta. Cruz in Zambales which was filed by the Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, a community organization based in the province.

“Sta. Cruz and the whole province of Zambales need the EPO to prevent the illegal activities of four mining companies that continue to operate, despite the cancellation orders issued by former environment secretary Gina Lopez,” ATM said.

These companies are Zambales Diversified Metals Corp., Benguet Corp. Nickel Mines Inc., LNL Archipelagic Mining Inc., and Eramen Minerals Inc.

“In rendering its recent decision, the CA failed to consider the lack of political will of DENR officials to enforce the cancellation orders and the continuing illegal mining activities documented by local communities. The logical next step for this judicial track is to seek redress from the Supreme Court,” ATM said.

According to ATM, residents are blaming the mining operations for the contamination of irrigation waters, river siltation and flooding that has affected agricultural livelihoods.

ATM said operations in the province is causing the loss of 8,000 metric tons of palay annually worth P200 million and an estimated loss of P20 million of fish catch in three major rivers and at least another P30 million reduction of fish production in at least 100 hectares of fishpond.

The group is urging the government to immediately implement the cancellation orders against the four mining companies and that all permits to transport and export nickel ores must be revoked.

“We urge the Office of the President to reject all the appeals submitted by mining companies regarding the cancellation or suspension orders against their operations,” ATM said.

“The government should also conduct an independent investigation on the environmental destruction in the province. Compensation to affected families who lost their livelihoods must be given. Rehabilitation of affected areas including farms, fishponds, coastal areas, rivers and irrigation systems must be implemented,” it added.