South Cotabato Gov to review ban lift on open-pit mining

As outrage continues to rise after the lifting of South Cotabato’s ban on open-pit mining, Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo said that a technical working group (TWG) will be established to review the provincial board’s decision in amending the local environment code.

In a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tamayo said that he has yet to receive an official copy of the amended environment code. Tamayo can either veto or allow the amendment to lapse into law 15 days upon receipt.

Tamayo said that his decision would be based on the recommendations of the TWG and will take into account “what is right” and for the “greater welfare of the people.”

Tamayo met with Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas in a closed-door meeting on the provincial board decision. Casicas is hopeful that the governor would decide “based on the wisdom of the people.”

South Cotabato’s provincial board recently voted to lift the provincial ban on open-pit mining, a policy that has been blocking the Tampakan copper-gold project for over a decade now.

In March, Tamayo had proposed to retain the local ban on open-pit mining.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will implement strict monitoring of operator Sagittarius Mines Inc.’s (SMI) environmental protection and rehabilitation commitments in the Tampakan project.

Acting Environment Sec. Jim Sampulna said that the environment would not be sacrificed and that SMI will be required to invest in equipment and manpower should there be any adverse impacts from the mining operation.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau earlier said that the Tampakan project has complied with the major requirements.