Tough days for mining, logging

CITY OF CALAPAN—The provincial government of Romblon has adopted an environmental ordinance that imposes strict limitations on mining and logging in the resource-rich province.

The provincial board on Monday passed the Environment and Natural Resources Code which, according to the antimining group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), seeks to stop “destructive industries like mining and logging.”

“The code will protect us now and our children’s children,” Romblon Provincial Board Member Felix Ylagan, the principal author of the environment code, was quoted as saying.

New rules

Among others, the code provides that “mining shall not be allowed within one kilometer radius from a declared watershed or watershed areas as identified by the municipality concerned.”

Mining will also be prohibited in “tourism and agricultural areas as identified by the municipality concerned,” the ordinance added.

“The legislation challenges local government units to integrate climate change action and disaster risk reduction management plans in their development programs,” said Rodne Galicha, Sibuyan Islands Sentinels League for Environment director.

ATM, through its national coordinator Jaybee Garganera, “lauded the political will of the legislators and the Romblon locals” in passing the environment protection measure.

Marble is the most significant mineral deposit of Romblon and is the most renowned product of the province, making the province the second biggest marble producer next to Bulacan, according to information published on the Romblon provincial government website.

Marble-rich

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has estimated that Romblon is endowed with about 150 million metric tons of marble. At current rates of extraction, the supply may last for three more centuries. Tablas Island is also believed to have vast reserves of marble, it added.