Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco on Sunday stressed the need for the voice of the people of Vitali to be heard amid the controversy over the proposed mining operations in the eastern village citing their varied experiences on flashfloods due to environmental degradation in recent years.
Vitali residents were opposing the proposal of Linktone Mining Corporation to operate a large scale iron ore mining in the village even as the company assured strict compliance of the Mining Act and other existing laws.
Climaco expressed doubts that the existence of the Mining Act would guaranty the protection and welfare of the people and the environment in the area. She cited the case of the Sta. Cruz Island which is declared protected area under the NIPAS Act, but is continuously devastated by dynamite fishing and portions of which are titled to some individuals.
“What guaranty can this proposed mining activity provide to the people and the environment?”, she asked.
She said Section 16 of the General Welfare clause of Republic Act 7160 provides that local government units should protect the rights of the people through balanced ecology.
Vitali residents were opposing the proposal of Linktone Mining Corporation to operate a large scale iron ore mining in the village even as the company assured strict compliance of the Mining Act and other existing laws.
Climaco expressed doubts that the existence of the Mining Act would guaranty the protection and welfare of the people and the environment in the area. She cited the case of the Sta. Cruz Island which is declared protected area under the NIPAS Act, but is continuously devastated by dynamite fishing and portions of which are titled to some individuals.
“What guaranty can this proposed mining activity provide to the people and the environment?”, she asked.
She said Section 16 of the General Welfare clause of Republic Act 7160 provides that local government units should protect the rights of the people through balanced ecology.
The Local Government Code, authored by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel has modified the powers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on sections 1,2,3 and 4, chapter 1, title 14, book 4 of the Administrative Code of 1987 over municipality waters, community forests, maintenance of sound ecological balance and protection and enhancement of quality of environment.
“The thrust and powers of the department dealing with environment, forests, mineral land are affected by section 17 of the local government code”, she said, quoting the code's provision.
Climaco said with the existing council resolution endorsing Linktone’s application for an environmental certificate clearance with the DENR, what is of essence is for the oppositors to put their position in writing and submit it to agencies concerned.
In previous dialogue with residents, Climaco has asked the City Planning Office to provide and utilize all available resources of the government to compile and document the position of the Vitali residents “to add more voice to their desire to protect their community”.
In previous dialogue with residents, Climaco has asked the City Planning Office to provide and utilize all available resources of the government to compile and document the position of the Vitali residents “to add more voice to their desire to protect their community”.
“But again encroachment to the watershed, experiences of flooding in the proposed mining area are warning signs that by itself would cause serious threatrs to the people and the environment”, she said.
She said the points for consideration in the operation of the mining firm in the area involve security and safety of the people, the revenues to be obtained, and the background of the proponent to include the capitalization and capability for rehabilitation of the area and the track record.
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