A crucial decision that could shape the future of Palawan’s environment will be made today as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources holds its final hearing on a proposed 50-year mining moratorium.
Board Member Ryan Maminta said they have come up with a 3rd version of the proposed ordinance for a 50-year moratorium as a result of the previous hearings of the committee that will be decided by the committee today and after which, will be submitted to the plenary for a final decision on their next regular session.
“The Provincial Legal Office (PLO) submitted a supplemental legal opinion citing possibilities that the Sanggunian may acquire in the passage of the ordinance for the original proposal of a 25-year moratorium,” he said.
Upon review of the previous hearings, however, he said Environmental Legal Assistance Center Executive Director Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda and Roger Garinga of the Institute for the Development of Educational and Ecological Alternatives Inc. (IDEAS) stated that it would be better if the moratorium is scaled up to 50 years “because that will be the time for one generation that will see better results.”
“And with no new mining applications to be entertained by the LGUs from barangay to provincial level, we can move into restoration, conservation, and the rest of the actions pertaining to environmental protection and restoration,” he stated.
He also explained that the initial proposed ordinance and the amendment submitted by the PLO will be consolidated with the latest version.
Board Member Nieves Rosento, who was one of the authors of the original proposed ordinance, meanwhile cited some provisions in the original proposal that were omitted in the latest version, specifically the small-scale mining that was no longer included.
“As principal authors of the first proposed ordinance, we agree for a consolidated ordinance. However, we take note that hindi na-mention yung small-scale mining where in the original proposal, it is included,” she stated.
She also noted the membership of a committee that will study the possibility of lifting or extending the ordinance was also not specified.
“Sino ang magiging members ng committee,” she asked.
Board Member Winston Arzaga, on the other hand, stated that while he is amenable to the 50-year period, he also sought provisions of a resolution which he, along with Board Members Juan Antonio Alvarez and Roseller Pineda, proposed to be included, referring to a proposed resolution requesting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue a special proclamation declaring Palawan as a no-mining zone and an agri-tourism area.
“If we have to consolidate, we have to include the points raised in our resolution, especially on the matter of the provincial government adopting agri-tourism as a substitute for mining,” he said.
He also expressed opposition to the creation of a committee or the Environmental Task Force Management, stating that if such an office is to be created, it should come from the office of the governor.
“Because the function of that office is implementation and recommendation or policy planning. (And) asking for some research data, I think that instead of creating another office, I suggest that we make use of the PCSD which is the repository of all scientific data of the province,” he explained.
