Residents hit firm for road damage

MANILA, Philippines–Village officials of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, set up roadblocks on Tuesday along the provincial highway after rice farmers of the town complained about the damage to the road caused by 20-ton trucks hauling ore from local mine sites to the pier for shipment.

Association of Barangay Chairmen president Filmar Movilla said the roadblocks forced several trucks owned by LNL Archipelagic Mining Co., which were loaded with nickel ore, to park on the side of the provincial highway in the town proper.

“LNL and town officials agreed in January to develop alternative roads to haul the ore to the pier,” Mobilla said. “They violated that agreement.”

On March 26, Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty banned the mining trucks from provincial roads. At least three other mining companies— Benguet Corp., Eramen Minerals and D.M. Consunji—have built their own alternative roads leading to the pier.

A lawyer for LNL arrived at the scene and got into a verbal argument with the local officials. The trucks were allowed to leave the area after a few hours.

A staff officer in the Office of the Municipal Mayor said the residents were not seeking a ban on mining operations in the town, but wanted mining companies to engage in responsible mining.