Zambales townsfolk demand resignation of mining officials

STA. CRUZ, Zambales—Carrying banners bearing antimining messages, at least 300 residents demanded the cancellation of all mining permits here and the resignation of mining and environment officials in the region during a rally on Tuesday.

“We want these mining activities to compensate the people for the damage they have done, particularly to the environment and their livelihood,” said Jo Ignacio, coordinator and convenor of Defender of the Environment for Genuine Development of Zambales.

The protesters, who held a motorcade around the town, called on Lormelyn Claudio, regional director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and Danilo Uykieng, regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, to step down, accusing them of protecting the mining companies.

They visited the offices of four mining companies that produce nickel laterite (soil layer rich in iron oxide) to express their concerns before staging a rally in front of the municipal hall.

Dr. Benito Molino, chair of Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, urged Claudio and Uykieng to assess the operations of all the mining firms “to restore our ruined environment and compensate all the damage.”

“They have to decide for the best interest of the people and the environment of Sta. Cruz and the nearby town of Candelaria,” Molino said.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Claudio said it hurt her to learn about the call for her resignation. “It’s unfair. I’m doing my job and records will show that I’ve been instrumental in ensuring that these mining companies meet our conditions,” she said.

Claudio said she would continue to carry out her tasks despite the criticisms.

The Inquirer tried but failed to reach Uykieng for comment on Tuesday.

In a text message, Karlo Flores, pollution control officer of Eramen Minerals Inc., one of the mining firms, said the protesters had not raised new issues during the rally.

They were bringing up “a rehash of old issues already addressed by the mining companies,” Flores said.

He reported that some 2,000 members of Coalition of Mining Workers, Families and Community also held a rally on Tuesday to support responsible mining in Zambales. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon