DENR issues violation notice to mining company
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has cited numerous violations over the mining operations of Altai Philippines Mining Corp. (APMC) in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.In a Facebook post on Saturday, Bayay Sibuyanon chairman and Living Laudato Si' executive director Rodne Galicha said he attended a dialogue with officials from the APMC, DENR, Philippine National Police (PNP) and provincial government of Romblon.Galicha said that during the dialogue, the DENR identified four violations that the APMC had committed, including of Presidential Decree 1067 or the "Water Code of the Philippines;" DENR Administrative Order 2004-04 and its implementing rules and regulations; section four of PD1586 that establishes an environmental impact statement system including other environmental management related measures; and section 77 of PD 705 on applying a scientific cutting and rotation in all forest lands.Specifically, the violations of the APMC are as follows: shore easement construction of structures, no foreshore lease agreement (Sec. 2c); salvage zone construction, construction of causeway without Environmental Compliance Certificate, and cutting/clearing of trees without permit."Items 1 and 2 are included in the Notice of Violation (NOV) issued on Feb. 1, 2023, and received by APMC on Feb. 2, 2023. The company is directed to stop further developing the area and avoid unnecessary activities that would worsen the situation in the area," wrote Galicha."NOV for Items 3 and 4 were supposed to be served to APMC on 3 February 2023, but the representative of the company declined to receive due to lack of authority to accept. DENR shall then post the NOV on the gate of APMC and other strategic places of operations."Galicha clarified that the DENR has not revoked APMC's exploration permit and its mineral production agreement with the company.Galicha thanked Sen. Risa Hontiveros and PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin for initiating the dialogue as well as the provincial government for facilitating it."All these victories happened mainly because of the continued protests, barricade, action and expressions of Sibuyanons," he wrote.Meanwhile, an advocacy group has condemned the violent police dispersal of a human barricade at the island.In a statement on Friday, Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said several residents were hurt, as they were trying to "guard their communities and protect the environment" from mining activities in the area."We demand an immediate investigation on the authorities involved in the violent dispersal," Agham campaign officer Cleng Julve said."The people of Romblon must be allowed to freely exercise their right to protect the environment and defend their island from destruction. APMC must stop their operations and pull out of the area. Their mining activities have already negatively impacted the forest cover and biodiversity of Sibuyan Island. If allowed to continue, it will mean further and irreversible destruction of the island's major river systems."On Thursday, tensions flared between police and local residents who wanted to stop the APMC from taking away nickel ores from Sibuyan."Tension arose when police were deployed in the barricade area, reminding residents of past experience with armed forces hired to protect corporate mining interests," Agham's statement read.PNP Romblon director Col. Jonathan Paguio, meanwhile, defended the police's actions but will look into abuses on their end.
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has cited numerous violations over the mining operations of Altai Philippines Mining Corp. (APMC) in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Bayay Sibuyanon chairman and Living Laudato Si' executive director Rodne Galicha said he attended a dialogue with officials from the APMC, DENR, Philippine National Police (PNP) and provincial government of Romblon.
Galicha said that during the dialogue, the DENR identified four violations that the APMC had committed, including of Presidential Decree 1067 or the "Water Code of the Philippines;" DENR Administrative Order 2004-04 and its implementing rules and regulations; section four of PD1586 that establishes an environmental impact statement system including other environmental management related measures; and section 77 of PD 705 on applying a scientific cutting and rotation in all forest lands.
Specifically, the violations of the APMC are as follows: shore easement construction of structures, no foreshore lease agreement (Sec. 2c); salvage zone construction, construction of causeway without Environmental Compliance Certificate, and cutting/clearing of trees without permit.
"Items 1 and 2 are included in the Notice of Violation (NOV) issued on Feb. 1, 2023, and received by APMC on Feb. 2, 2023. The company is directed to stop further developing the area and avoid unnecessary activities that would worsen the situation in the area," wrote Galicha.
"NOV for Items 3 and 4 were supposed to be served to APMC on 3 February 2023, but the representative of the company declined to receive due to lack of authority to accept. DENR shall then post the NOV on the gate of APMC and other strategic places of operations."
Galicha clarified that the DENR has not revoked APMC's exploration permit and its mineral production agreement with the company.
Galicha thanked Sen. Risa Hontiveros and PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin for initiating the dialogue as well as the provincial government for facilitating it.
"All these victories happened mainly because of the continued protests, barricade, action and expressions of Sibuyanons," he wrote.
Meanwhile, an advocacy group has condemned the violent police dispersal of a human barricade at the island.
In a statement on Friday, Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said several residents were hurt, as they were trying to "guard their communities and protect the environment" from mining activities in the area.
"We demand an immediate investigation on the authorities involved in the violent dispersal," Agham campaign officer Cleng Julve said.
"The people of Romblon must be allowed to freely exercise their right to protect the environment and defend their island from destruction. APMC must stop their operations and pull out of the area. Their mining activities have already negatively impacted the forest cover and biodiversity of Sibuyan Island. If allowed to continue, it will mean further and irreversible destruction of the island's major river systems."
On Thursday, tensions flared between police and local residents who wanted to stop the APMC from taking away nickel ores from Sibuyan.
"Tension arose when police were deployed in the barricade area, reminding residents of past experience with armed forces hired to protect corporate mining interests," Agham's statement read.
PNP Romblon director Col. Jonathan Paguio, meanwhile, defended the police's actions but will look into abuses on their end.
