Benguet Corp. disputes Zambales mayor’s claims
Benguet Corp. (BC) disputed yesterday a report that it is engaged in illegal mining in Sta. Cruz, Zambales.
The company accused Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty of distortion of facts when he made it appear that the legitimate mining companies in his town are the ones guilty of environmental destruction.
In a statement, the company also said that Marty even twisted the pronouncements of President Arroyo, who visited his town last week to inspect typhoon damages, when she expressed concern about the effects of illegal mining and warned local officials against coddling illegal miners responsible for the siltation which turned portion of the municipal waters red.
The BC’s statement also said:
"Other large-scale mining companies such as DMCI, Rusina, Filipinas, and Eramen have long complained to the DENR of rampant illegal mining in Sta. Cruz.
"Aside from having no environmental clearance, these illegtal mining operators are violating the laws through over extraction of minerals, unregulated mining practices and evasion of taxes.
"One illegal mining operator in particular, A3 UNA Mining Co., has victimized all of the legitimate mining companies by encroaching on and illegally mining in their respective MPSA areas. Despite the complaints of residents and largescale mining companies, A3 UNA was able to operate in the town because of the tolerance and protection of the mayor.
"On Jan. 21, 2008, the DENR ordered the seizure of A3 UNA’s ore stockpile of some 20,000 tons at Balitok pier. This same stockpile was the cause of leaching of the nickel ore to the sea at the height of typhoon "Cosme" due to unstable construction of the pier and stockpile area.
"BC alleged that the harassment of the mayor started when it refused to give in to his illegal demands. Not only did the mayor threatened that the company will not be allowed to operate in Sta. Cruz, but he instigated the filing of trumped-up charges against BC for environmental destruction.
"The complaint was duly investigated by a combined team of MGB, DENR line agencies (PENRO, CENRO and EMB), and the Provincial Task Force on March 31, 2008. The MGB consolidated reports dated April 2, 2008 on the result of the investigation, which was received by the company on May 27, 2008, basically clears BC of the charges and found the complaint to be baseless.
"In fact, there was even findings in the report that it was A3 UNA which is to blame for illegal cutting of trees and other environmental damages.
"Unlike the illegal miners, BC and other large scale mining companies operate within the regulatory ambit of the DENR." Manila Bulletin
The company accused Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty of distortion of facts when he made it appear that the legitimate mining companies in his town are the ones guilty of environmental destruction.
In a statement, the company also said that Marty even twisted the pronouncements of President Arroyo, who visited his town last week to inspect typhoon damages, when she expressed concern about the effects of illegal mining and warned local officials against coddling illegal miners responsible for the siltation which turned portion of the municipal waters red.
The BC’s statement also said:
"Other large-scale mining companies such as DMCI, Rusina, Filipinas, and Eramen have long complained to the DENR of rampant illegal mining in Sta. Cruz.
"Aside from having no environmental clearance, these illegtal mining operators are violating the laws through over extraction of minerals, unregulated mining practices and evasion of taxes.
"One illegal mining operator in particular, A3 UNA Mining Co., has victimized all of the legitimate mining companies by encroaching on and illegally mining in their respective MPSA areas. Despite the complaints of residents and largescale mining companies, A3 UNA was able to operate in the town because of the tolerance and protection of the mayor.
"On Jan. 21, 2008, the DENR ordered the seizure of A3 UNA’s ore stockpile of some 20,000 tons at Balitok pier. This same stockpile was the cause of leaching of the nickel ore to the sea at the height of typhoon "Cosme" due to unstable construction of the pier and stockpile area.
"BC alleged that the harassment of the mayor started when it refused to give in to his illegal demands. Not only did the mayor threatened that the company will not be allowed to operate in Sta. Cruz, but he instigated the filing of trumped-up charges against BC for environmental destruction.
"The complaint was duly investigated by a combined team of MGB, DENR line agencies (PENRO, CENRO and EMB), and the Provincial Task Force on March 31, 2008. The MGB consolidated reports dated April 2, 2008 on the result of the investigation, which was received by the company on May 27, 2008, basically clears BC of the charges and found the complaint to be baseless.
"In fact, there was even findings in the report that it was A3 UNA which is to blame for illegal cutting of trees and other environmental damages.
"Unlike the illegal miners, BC and other large scale mining companies operate within the regulatory ambit of the DENR." Manila Bulletin
Labels: benguet, denr, DMCI Mining Corp., marty, mining, Sta. Cruz, zambales
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
5:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home