STA CRUZ OCCIDENTAL FORUM ON MINING By Norman Novio (16 June 2009)



The Sangguniang Bayan of Santa Cruz , Occidental Mindoro conducted a Public Consultation yesterday on the proposed High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) plant of the Intex Resources, Inc., the prime mover of the Mindoro Nickel Project (MNP). Said mining plant is projected to be established in Brgy. Pinagturilan of said municipality. Invited in the activity are resource persons coming from Intex, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR and pro-environment activists.

A Eucharistic Celebration followed by video presentation of the Social Services Commission (SSC) was also held. Fr. Edwin “Edu” Gariguez, PhD of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan and Mr. Marius Agua, Phd are the main speakers for the anti-mining input at the Holy Cross Parish Compound.

All of the municipal legislators attended the consultation along with Mayor Felimon Galsim. The activity was presided by Vice Mayor Rose C. Malabanan. Around 2 thousand anti-mining protesters marched the town’s main thoroughfare bearing anti-mining streamers and placards.

The SB officially and vehemently opposed the HPAL plant by unanimously approving a Municipal Ordinance yesterday...

(June 15, 2009) Mayor Godofredo Mintu of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro issued an statement yesterday regarding the establishment of the High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) plant in Brgy. Pinagturilan, Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro . Mintu asked townspeople to oppose the Mindoro Nickel Poject (MNP). Vice Mayor Eduardo Gadiano, during the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) public consultation that they are going to add additional provisions to the General Ordinance No. 2007-GO03B declaring 25-year mining moratorium on large scale mining activities in Sablayan.

Gadiano warned Intex that full force of the local law will be implemented the moment additional stipulatations are approved by said legislative body...