Residents dependent on a mining operation in Nueva Vizcaya province assured Environment Secretary Regina Lopez that they support her call to protect the environment and the welfare of the people in host communities.
Over 250 residents from seven barangays in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya appealed to Lopez not to put a stop on the operation of OceanaGold, saying the Australian-based mining company had been instrumental in bringing development and progress to the area.
The residents made the appeal in a dialogue they initiated Aug. 31 with Lopez at the main office of the Department of Environment Natural Resources in support of her responsible mining policy.
The visitors, mostly from Barangay Didipio and nearby villages, including Binogawan, Bellet, Capisaan, Upper Tucod, Lower Tucod, Wangal, Alimit, Papaya, Alloy and Dingasan, stressed the need for hardline policies to protect responsible miners.
The residents said they were one with Lopez in promoting responsible mining. “We need mining. This is our livelihood,” the miners, mostly indigineous people, said.
“OceanaGold has been supportive to the people. We assure Secretary Lopez that the people’s welfare will always be a priority of OceanaGold Philippines while conducting their mining operation in Didipio,” said Didipio Barangay chairman Junjun Pugong.
Didipio is host to OceanaGold’s mining operation in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The mining company, which recently underwent DENR’s mining audit, produces gold and copper. It also operates other mining sites in Mindanao and in other countries like Australia, New Zealand and El Salvador.
Lopez stressed during the dialogue that her mandate given by President Duterte was to clear out irresponsible diggers who devastate the land and convert lush farms into wasteland.
“I intend to do just that, not drive out business industry players who follow government standards, respect the environment, pay proper taxes and contribute to the economy of the locality where they operate,” said Lopez.
The Nueva Vizcaya folks welcomed the position of the DENR head.
“This is what we see and experience from OceanaGold”•a responsible company that follows government standards, respect the environment, pay proper taxes and help boost the economy,” said Pugong.
The Didipio delegation detailed the benefits brought by OceanaGold to the community.
Among these projects are farm-to-market roads, education facilities and scholarships, health services, infrastructures, training and capacity building, enterprise development and livelihood and jobs generation.
“We believe OcenaGold is operating responsibly and following the highest standards similarly done in Australia,” said Simplicia Ananayo, a resident of Didipio who works for the mining company.
