Let’s legalize illegal mining

MAASIN CITY – Yesterday we received a surprising invitation from Mr. Pedro Sorio, the Assistant Department Head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office inviting us to attend a consultative meeting to discuss “possible solutions” on how we could legalize the illegal off shore mining operations in Pinutan, San Ricardo.

The invitation was (to say the least) unexpected since it’s not every day that a publisher of a newspaper is invited to search for solutions to legalize an illegal activity. In layman’s terms we were invited to participate in a meeting that would search for ways and means to flaunt the country’s environmental law prohibiting mining 500 meters offshore and the use of mercury which would kill marine life in the area.

What is alarming is that the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board has approved the meeting under the pretense that the small offshore mining operations there was the main source of livelihood in Pinutan. If this is their line of reasoning shouldn’t we also legalize Masiao since it provides employment to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who would otherwise be unemployed?

We have stated our opposition against the offshore mining operations in Pinutan before in a series of articles in the Southern Leyte Times because

(1) it was less than 500 meters offshore which is against the law,

(2) the operators were using mercury which is lethal to marine life and the people who consume the infested fish,

(3) the miners were using Bozo-Bozo a breathing equipment banned by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and

(4) the operators were recruiting minors to do their work.

We are reminding Mr. Sorio that he is not only endangering the marine life in San Ricardo, but is also tarnishing the reputation of his boss Governor Damian Mercado who could be held accountable for the oversight as the provincial chief executive officer.

We are requesting Provincial Administrator Crispin Arong Jr. and the civic minded employees of PENRMO to please appraise the governor on the actual situation at Pinutan so he will not be associated with this unholy alliance which obviously has the blessings of the DENR’s notorious Mines and Geosciences Bureau. (see Sorio’s letter to SLT on feedback)

Other News

PEACEFUL BUT EXPENSIVE!

Cantillas wants mining stopped

Water shortage ends but will return in 2011

Angry mom's slam porno-dens

Scout Jamboree a success

Mayor Espina Exonerated

16 SJC students pass

Bus Kills 3 in Bantig Fiesta

LIST OF WINNING CANDIDATES

LIST OF 42 BARANGAY CAPTAIN'S ON 3RD TERM