Environment watchdog expresses dismay over rampant illegal mining in Roxas, Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Sept. 7 – The Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI) expressed dismay over the failure of local government unit (LGU) officials of the northern town of Roxas to stop the conduct of alleged rampant illegal gold and other mineral mining in its area.

The expression of dismay was done by the environmental watchdog PNNI through its advocacy officer Elizabeth Maclang following its discovery that Roxas did not lift a finger to check on the proposed mining exploration of Sta. Lourdes Mining that was denied entry by the nearby town of San Vicente.

According to Maclang, many of the LGU officials in Roxas do not seem to care about what might happen to their environment if illegal mining is not stopped.

The Environment Critical Areas Network (ECAN) Board of San Vicente denied the proposed exploration for minerals of Sta. Lourdes Mining but in Roxas, she claimed that it was allowed when the identity of the proponent appears to be doubtful.

She said the proponent of Sta. Lourdes Mining is only known as a certain “Atty. Ramos”. No other information is available regarding his personality.

She disclosed too that the Caramay river, one of the most important bodies of water in the town, has been flowing muddy waters ever since illegal gold panning started in the upper portion of Little Caramay.

She stressed that the balance in the ecological system of the river is slowly being compromised and if mining is not prevented, it could die.

Councilor Gil Saclet of the Sangguniang Bayan of Roxas, on the other hand, agrees with the PNNI. In a radio interview this morning, he admitted they can’t stop the illegal gold panning and mining in their town because some of the officials are pro-mining.

He called on the provincial government and other environment agencies of the national government to look into the matter and help Roxas before many lives suffer. He also said more alternative livelihood activities should be provided to those who would be affected if authorities succeed in stopping illegal mining.

“I call on the provincial government and other environment agencies to help us. They need to look into this problem in my town because we can only do so much in the Sangguniang Bayan. I also hope that they can help us provide livelihood to those who will be affected because most of those who are engage in gold panning are poor and have no means for their families,” he said.

Roxas is a municipality situated along the eastern shoreline of Palawan. It is comprised of barangays running from south to north from Tinitian to Ilian. Known as a “silica mining town”, its livelihood activities include fishing, farming, mining and tourism because of a beautiful beaches running along its shoreline. (PNA) LAP/CARF/utb

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