PB summons MGB-7 chief on dolomite

CEBU, Philippines —  A resolution condemning the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7’s issuance of a permit that allowed Philippine Mining Service Corp. to transport crushed dolomite from Alcoy, Cebu for the Manila Bay project has been deferred at the Provincial Board.

Third District Board Member John Ismael Borgonia, who chairs the Committee on Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources at PB, filed the measure but the body decided to stall its approval pending hearing the side of MGB-7 Director Loreto Alburo.

Borgonia’s proposed resolution condemns “the issuance of ore transport permit (OTP) by Engr. Loreto B. Alburo of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-Central Visayas) which led to the extraction of mineral resources in Alcoy, Cebu in the absence of public transparency and consultation of Cebuanos and in utmost disregard to the authority of the Local Government of the Province of Cebu.”

The legislative body has invited Alburo to its next scheduled regular session on September 21 to shed light on the matter.

“We will request the presence of Engr. Alburo on September 21, in the next session of the Provincial Board,” Vice Governor Hilario Davide III said in a report by Sugbo News, the Capitol-run news portal.

PB Member Celestino Martinez III, in his motion, asked Alburo to come before the board to explain the issuance of the OTP and DENR's jurisdiction on the mining of dolomites and other minerals in Cebu province.

“We also want to see the requirements, whether there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication, or what is the jurisdiction of DENR as to allowing the mining of dolomite and other minerals in the province,” Martinez said.

“So maybe he can answer these questions prior to passing this resolution kay basin kun ato ni i-condemn siya, di na hinuon motunga sa atong session kay mahadlok na na ron,” he added.

Borgonia agreed with the will of the majority of his colleagues.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier issued a cease and desist order against mining firms for further transporting and selling of dolomite and other mineral and quarry resources in Alcoy.  — KQD (FREEMAN)