The Working Secretary of DENR - Secretary Gina Lopez

Lopez vows to cancel Oceana Gold permit - advocates

MANILA, Philippines -- Environment Secretary Gina Lopez promised anti-mining activists from Nueva Vizcaya that she would cancel the extension of exploration permit granted to Australian firm Oceana Gold Philippines Inc., whose operation has long been opposed by residents of Didipio in Kasibu town. "I promise I will not let you suffer anymore," Lopez told leaders of the Didipio Earth Savers Multi-Purpose Association (DESAMA), Salakniban ti Lubong Ken Aglawlaw Dagiti Umili iti Nueva Vizcaya (SALAKNIB) and Alyansa ng Mangagawa at Magsasaka ng Kasibu (AMMKAS), along with Governor Carlos Padilla, Alyansa Tigil Mina and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, at a dialogue in Makati City Wednesday. In a statement, Alyansa Tigil Mina said Lopez then ordered Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno to cancel Oceana Gold’s permit immediately. She also said she would issue a memorandum making community consent, and not only local government endorsement, a requisite for the issuance of exploration permits, and would call for an environmental summit in Nueva Vizcaya soon. Padilla reiterated his commitment not to allow mining in the province, the statement said. “I will exercise the full powers of my office to strictly implement the Environmental Code of Nueva Vizcaya. There will be no sacred cows where the rights and welfare of the people are concerned,” he was quoted as saying. While welcoming Lopez’s order, DESAMA president said “hindi kami titigil hanggat hindi humihinto ang pagmimina sa aming buong probinsya (we will not stop until mining is stopped in the whole province).”

Source: INTERAKSYON.COM