http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug21/envi2.htm

The Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP) has accused a mining company operating in Palawan of extracting ore more than its allowable limit and using heavy equipment in its operations.

Ester Perez de Tagle, COCAP chairperson, said complaint documents filed before the provincial government and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural resources and photographs and testimonies point to environmental damage allegedly caused by the operations of Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC) in Narra, Palawan.

De Tagle cited data that Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes issued Small-Scale Mining Permits to PGMC to allow the firm to extract 50,000 metric tons of ore from 2004 to 2006.

But de Tagle said that in less than two years of operating in Narra, PGMC was able to mine and export to Australia around 300,000 metric tons of ore, the transport permits for which have also been issued by the governor.

De Tagle also accused the mining firm of using heavy equipment in its operations, which she said is strictly prohibited under small-scale mining.

De Tagle added that Reyes still granted the company a two-year extension instead of canceling the firm’s permits.

“That’s large-scale mining in disguise, which is condoned by the provincial government of Palawan. If Gov. Reyes continues to ignore mounting calls for action, natural disasters will befall the province,” De Tagle said in a statement.

De Tagle cited reports that farmers in the area are now complaining of reduced palay output allegedly caused by heavy siltation of their rice fields.

She said some farmers have reported a 30 to 50 percent drop in production since PGMC started extracting nickel ore and other minerals in the area two years ago.

De Tagle said COCAP will work with national anti-mining movements to came up with actions against PGMC.

“Ecological disasters such as those in Marinduque and Rapu-Rapu could happen in Palawan if DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes won’t act fast in stopping the continuous destruction of the environment by PGMC,” De Tagle said. — Reinir Padua