Gov blames politics for black sand mine protest
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Politics is behind moves to stop the development of the 264-hectare provincial government property here into an ecotourism and industrial zone, a Pangasinan official said.
Provincial administrator Rafael Baraan issued the statement yesterday following a cease-and-desist order issued by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) on black sand mining in the area.
“How come the media already know about the supposed letter of [EMB regional director] Joel Salvador to Gov. [Amado] Espino [Jr.] when we have not received it? Clearly, somebody is feeding it to the media,” Baraan said.
He said as of Thursday, the provincial government has yet to receive a copy of the complaint filed at the Ombudsman against provincial officials for black sand mining.
On Jan. 16, a group of village officials and residents of Lingayen sued provincial and local officials and the firm involved in black sand mining for allegedly violating environment and antigraft laws and the local government code.
Salvador, in a phone interview, said an EMB letter ordering a stop to black sand mining in Lingayen was sent to Espino’s office by registered mail.
Salvador also wrote Espino on Jan. 30, saying “activities for the purpose of developing a golf course area… should also be covered by an ECC (environmental compliance certificate).”
“As proponent of the project, please be advised that your office should have secured the required ECC before the implementation of the project,” Salvador said.
Baraan named former Pangasinan Gov. Victor Agbayani as the one who allegedly pushed some officials of Barangay Sabangan here to protest the project. “[Agbayani] started it all. It’s on record,” said Baraan.
Agbayani, also former Pangasinan representative, lost to Espino in the 2010 gubernatorial election. In 2007, Agbayani’s wife, Jamie Eloise, also lost to Espino in a gubernatorial fight.
In a letter to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje on Sept. 20, 2011, Agbayani enclosed a petition signed by 292 residents of Barangay Sabangan “objecting to the mining operations.” Gabriel Cardinoza with a report from Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon
