Zambales builds mining road

STA. CRUZ, Zambales — Trying to find a balance between environmental protection and provincial income, the provincial government here is building an alternate mining road away from the affected communities of this town.

At present, mining operations in this town remain suspended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) due to its damaging effects to a number of communities, leaving more than 3,000 mine workers unemployed.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. believes that building an alternate route is an answer to the complaints against mining operations, particularly those complaining about the horrendous road conditions of the town due to trucks hauling nickel ore.

Several months ago the DENR stopped the mining operations as coastal area residents here complained that the sea water had turned virtually red due to erosion from mining.

Ebdane said the new road being built spans 20 kilometers, passing through foothills in remote parts of Barangay Guisguis and Tubo- tubo North, ending at the Sta. Cruz Port in Barangay Longos where they ship the nickel ore out of Zambales.

“This road will bypass the communities and other built-up areas, so we hope it will answer complaints about dust in summer and muddy roads during the rainy season,” Ebdane said.