Exploration permit covers entire Cordova

An application for mineral product exploration that would encompass almost the entire town of Cordova is now the subject of a strong opposition by town officials and residents, who are worried about the implications of such to the environment.

Kimhee Realty Corporation has applied for a permit to do a mineral product exploration in Barangays Day-as and Buagsong.

In a letter dated September 19, Gene Chua, a director of the company, submitted to the municipal council a copy of the company's two-year exploration and environmental work program in connection with the application for mineral product sharing agreement.

Kimhee applied for a permit to do exploration in order to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of limestone and other quarry materials that may be suitable for dimension stone, construction and other industrial uses.

The target areas for the proposed exploration work program is 709.7 hectares, but a map furnished to The Freeman shows that almost all barangays in the town will be covered by the application for exploration.

The proposed contract area, according to the papers submitted by Kimhee represented by Chua to DENR is located within the town of Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City.

According to Cordova Vice Mayor Danilo Sinugbuhan, the municipal council endorsed to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources the application for a small-scale quarry of Sellchem Corporation represented by one Gene Chua. This was for a portion of lot in barangay Buagsong with an area of 4.5 hectares last September 17, 2002.

A check made by The Freeman shows that Chua is the same applicant now representing Kimhee Realty Corporation.

Vice Mayor Sinugbuhan said that the muncipal council is acting on this matter in response to the sentiments aired by the residents of the different barangays in their town.

Businessmen in the town, especially those engaged in the tourism industry, informed municipal officials that allowing the exploration for mining in the town would affect their business.

The vice mayor said that no consultation has been made by the applicant with the residents of the affected barangays.

The local government units, under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, play important roles in mining projects in their area. They task to ensure that relevant laws on public notice, public consultation and public participation are complied with.

In coordination with the government agencies and subject to valid and existing mining rights, the LGU can approve applications for small-scale mining, sand and gravel, quarry, guano, gemstone gathering and gratuitous permits and for industrial sand and gravel permits not exceeding 5 hectares.

Municipal councilor Greg Jumao-as, chairman of the committee on environment, said the municipal council will not endorse the application of Kimhee Realty Corporation.

According to Jumao-as, the town is not ideal for mining, but only for light industries and tourism.

He said, allowing Kimhee to explore for mining products, will have an effect on the environment and threaten the safety of the residents contrary to the claims of the company official that the programmed exploration activities will hardly have any pronounced effect on the ecology of the subject area. - Jose P. Sollano