Provincial Board probes black sand mining in Lingayen
LINGAYEN–The provincial board will conduct a probe, in aid of legislation, on the reported black sand quarrying in Barangay Sabangan in this capital town, the subject of a petition by residents of surrounding communities.
“To allay the fears of the residents that the black sand quarrying in Barangay Sabangan would destroy their environment, there is a need to validate such concern and invite concerned authorities,” said 6th District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. who filed the resolution on the probe.
Bince said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also aims to determine whether the privilege granted to Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures to extract black sand in the area conforms with existing laws and that the company is being strictly regulated to protect the environment.
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and Energy will conduct the inquiry.
The August 2011 petition of Sabangan residents, a copy of which continuous to be circulated for the signature drive, states their vehement opposition to the company’s alleged mining operations for gold and other mineral resources near the sea.
The petitioners fear flooding, soil erosion and the destruction of their crops, including those of the nearby barangays of Estanza, Malimpuec and Capandanan that could possibly result from big waves due to the extraction activities.
More than 1,000 residents in the four barangays have so far signed the petition.
Following the petition, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. wrote Engr. Carlos Tayag, regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), on Oct. 15, 2011 to express the provincial government’s support for the residents’ concern.
When he assumed governorship in 2007, Espino started clearing operation in the area and one of the proposals for the area’s development was the construction of golf course of international standard.
However, when the sandy soil was found to be not suitable for the required vegetation and landscape, he directed the provincial administrator to negotiate with any reputable group that has the expertise without committing a single centavo from the provincial coffers.
Alexandria Mining volunteered its services, equipment and manpower to do the removal of the unwanted materials inside the area of the proposed golf course.
The MGB has already recommended that the small-scale mining permit issued to Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures be cancelled since it was issued without an area clearance from the MGB, the regional office, an approval endorsement from the local government unit and an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The team also recommended that Alexandra Mining be penalized for putting up a mineral processing plant without an ECC and that a cease and desist order be issued to the company pending the resolution of the case. — ECV
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