Environment & Natural Resources Sec. Regina Lopez on Tuesday afternoon announced she will issue show-cause orders against two mining companies in southern Negros after seeing purported violations of environmental laws.
Sec. Lopez arrived here early Tuesday and flew via helicopter to Basay in Negros Oriental and the next town, Sipalay in Negros Occidental, for an ocular inspection of the defunct Copper Development Corp. of the Philippines, and the still-operational Maricalum Mining, respectively.
In an interview at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport after her ocular inspection, Secretary Lopez described both mining sites as “really bad” but went on to say that Maricalum Mining was a “nightmare”.
Lopez pointed out to such beautiful greenery around while flying to the south, and when they got to Sipalay, she noticed an open-pit mine site there that caught her attention.
There were also four tailings there, Lopez said.
According to Secretary Lopez, the two firms will be given seven days under the show-cause order to explain the alleged violations pertaining to environmental laws.
If they fail to submit a show-cause report, Lopez warned of strict sanctions, saying “they’re finished”.
The CDCP mining in Basay, Negros Oriental has long since been abandoned but while rehabilitation efforts have been made, apparently these were not enough to satisfy the DENR executive.
Lopez said she was informed that the toxicity level of the Pagatban River is high, posing danger to people and the environment.
“They have not done their job well”, said Lopez of the CDCP mining company.
Sec. Lopez arrived here following receipt of numerous complaints that the water in Pagatban River is acidic as a result of heavy metals such as lead, copper and zinc, which are still found in the bottom of the river at concentrations 200 to 5,000 times higher that acceptable levels, which is risky to the health of the people.
According to a research conducted by Silliman University in Dumaguete City, the general water quality of Pagatban River can be classified as Class C which can be suited for aquaculture use but the heavy metals in its bottom is not compatible with any fishery activities in the area even after more than three decades since it was stopped in 1983.
After CDCP, Sec. Lopez proceeded to Sipalay to see for herself the reported erosion of a garbage dumpsite in the area that has affected a lot of farmlands.
Sec Lopez had been to several open pit mining sites all over the country, findings of which will be presented during a roundtable discussion, so policies can be finalized before the scheduled date of her confirmation as secretary of DENR.
Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez said she wants to craft policies for the DENR before anything happens to her confirmation or non-confirmation by the Committee on Appointments this coming May 2, 2017.
By Thursday, Sec. Lopez said government policies on mining will be out in an announcement she will make through a press conference in Manila.
Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez wants to meet with Frank Fernandez, leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army in Negros.
Lopez is asking Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Satur Ocampo, who is a consultant of the CPP/NPA/ National Democratic Front peace panel to facilitate the meeting.
Lopez reiterated pronouncements to work with the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines because at the end of the day, the NPA would only want a better life.
She believes that if social injustice on the ground is addressed they will not be fighting for each other.
Ocampo joined Lopez on her visits to Basay and Sipalay in southern Negros to inspect the state of two mining sites there.
For his part, Ocampo told reporters members of the Commission on Appointments should forget about their personal and economic interests and consider the welfare of the country.
He said Sec. Lopez had the background and experience in addressing poverty through care of the environment, especially on the impact of mining.
Ocampo further said the NPAs have been guardians of the our natural resources but the intrusion of mining have driven them out from their respective areas.
According to Sec Lopez when the environment is destroyed, the poor suffers the most.
In the event of non-confirmation, Sec. Lopez said she has no choice if they would want to run government with their selfish business interests. (PNA/JFP/with a report from Juancho Gallarde)
