Mining Explorations in Capiz

Timeline

March 1998 – Minera Mount Isa Philippines, operator of Australian-owned Teresa Marble Corp. has been given a permission by DENR- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to explore some 2,400 hectares of forest land in Barangays Quinabonglan and Cana-pian in Maayon, Capiz.

August 27, 1999 – Capiz Local Government Unit passed and approved an Ordinance No. 6, S. 1999  declaring a moratorium on all large-scale mining activities and the processing of applications for the same in the Province of Capiz for a period of fifteen (15) years and imposing penalties for violation thereof. This ordinance was signed by Zoe Herrera, SP Secretary, Approved by Governor Vicente Bermejo and Attested by Vice-Governor Victor Tanco.

June 8, 2007 –  the Capiz provincial board approved Provincial Ordinance No. 69 – Environment Code, which allows mineral exploration and development activities over areas granted with permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This is also in relation to the application of a Mining Company dated February 8, 2007 for mining exploration in parts of Maayon, Capiz.

September 6, 2007 – The Roxas city council approved a resolution, sponsored by Councilor Herbert Chu, supporting Provincial Ordinance No. 6, series of 1999, which declared a moratorium on all large-scale mining activities and the processing of mining applications in Capiz for 15 years that could be extended up to 50 years.

This resolution also sought the revocation of Provincial Ordinance 69. Sigma, Pontevedra and other municipalities of Capiz passed similar resolutions that echoed the sentiments of militant groups Madiaas Ecological Movement (MEM) and the Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-Capiz).

March 2009 –  The House Committee on Natural Resources and Ecology was directed to conduct a consultative meeting and a study by virtue of House Resolution No. 26 authored by 2nd District Congressman Fredenil H. Castro.

The said House Resolution is entitled “Resolution Directing the Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology to conduct a study, in aid of legislation on the cumulative and long-term impact of mining activities in the province of Capiz.”

March 24, 2009 – Capiz Provincial Board Members with the DENR conducted a consultation, dialog and out of town session with the barangay captains, residents and gold panners of Barangays Canapian, Guinbialan, Quinabonglan and Tuboran of held at Brgy. Canapi-an, Maayon, Capiz.

Local residents of the Brgy. Canapi-an, Maayon Capiz showed their sentiments and stand on the issues about mining.  They are against the Exploration and Large Scale Mining, but they are asking for consideration to allow them do gold panning.  It has been known that there is an existing moratorium and ceased and deceased order in mining in Capiz. No permits has been allowed by the LGU, but despite of this, there where still illegal mining operations in Maayon and some parts of Capiz.

Residents are  earning  P100-P200 pesos a day by doing gold panning.  They usually do these during the off season harvest of their corn crops on summer.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Capiz advised them to form a cooperative and apply for Small Scale Mining in which Environmental Compliance Certificate is required with a fee of P40,000-P50,000.00.