Three members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday filed a resolution requesting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue a “special proclamation declaring the Province of Palawan as a No Mining Province and an Agri-Tourism Zone.”
Board Members Juan Antonio Alvarez, Winston Arzaga, and Roseller Pineda said the resolution serves as an alternative to the proposed mining moratorium ordinance, which is currently being deliberated by the Committee on Environmental Protection of the Sanggunian.
The three, however, gave different opinions on whether the resolution will have a direct effect on the proposed ordinance.
Asked if the president will consider the request, Alvarez said he sees no reason for it not to be granted.
“In the first place, alam naman natin na tourist destination talaga ang Palawan and at the same time, binanggit nga ni Board Member Pineda na meron tayong tatlong UNESCO sites so justifiable naman kung gawin niya ito,” he said.
He also said the resolution can be tackled more quickly than the moratorium, adding that it is actually a “parallel action.” The resolution was referred to the Committee on Environmental Protection.
“Hindi naman nito kinokontra yung ordinance. Kumbaga, support pa nga ito kung sakaling hindi talaga mahanapan ng legal basis yung moratorium or iibahin, at least meron tayong iba pang ginagawa na pwede ring sumuporta doon sa gusto nating mangyari,” he explained.
Arzaga, for his part, stated that the resolution is a substitute for the moratorium, which he said is not possible due to legal impediments.
“Ayaw namin ng moratorium kasi hindi pwede yun. Merong legal opinion yung ating PLO na hindi pwedeng ipasa yun ng provincial board so we have to go through with it. So ito, alternative solution,” he stated.
He also stated that the proposed 25-year moratorium is too short and “unfair for the next generation of Palawenos.”
“They are only taking care of the present generation but pag tumawid na sa susunod na henerasyon, balik tayo sa square one without providing any alternative na gagawin ng next,” he said.
“So ang gawin natin, total na dire-diretso na at panindigan natin na ang Palawan as to the environment is a biosphere reserve,” he added.
However, he added that mining companies currently operating in the province are spared from the resolution, saying they have already been granted permits to operate.
“But we have to respect prior rights. Ibig sabihin, tuloy-tuloy ang mga yan. Pero pag natapos na yung kontrata nila, wala na,” he explained.
“Yung existing, wala tayong magagawa doon, we have to honor the contract na nabigay na sa kanila. May livelihood naman kahit paano, may economic benefit naman,” Alvarez chimed in.
Pineda, for his part, stated that the resolution is an option while the moratorium is being discussed. He said that while the resolution might be a shot in the dark, it is still possible.
“Why not na maipakita natin na we are also concerned about Palawan, ano ba yung kinabukasan. Sinasabi natin, there’s no harm in trying, but again, it’s not far from reality,” he said.
“Kailangan lang natin na magkaisa, mag-rally ng support for this proposal. Huwag lang mapulitika, kasi kami hindi naman namumulitika, this is purely our obligation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fr. Roderick Caabay said the opinion of the Provincial Legal Office states that the Sanggunian has the power to pass an ordinance for the moratorium.
He said the resolution is nothing but a delaying tactic and a political maneuver.
“Who said the president will listen to you? When will that happen, when people now demand immediate action?” Caabay said in a Facebook post.
