The livelihood of the citizens is the primary reason why the Mining Ordinance was passed, but on the side of the opposition, safety is more important.
The Provincial Board and the local government felt the pulse of the public, which is why they are stood firm in defending the Mining Ordinance in the first salvo until it was revoke.
In the first interview with Vice Governor Peter Cua on Radyo Peryodiko, he strongly asserted the need to defend the ordinance because, according to him, it is the survival of the people that is being considered, especially due to the decline in the price of abaca and other livelihoods.
In the second interview on Radio Periodiko this Monday, December 4, they announced the withdrawal of their group, as well as the local government of Catanduanes, to heed the strong call of the public.
In his privilege speech at the 48th regular session, the Vice Governor asked what alternative livelihoods or steps the advocates of the environment can take to alleviate the plight of the hopeful residents of Panganiban, especially in Barangay Cabuyoan.
First and foremost, at present, the minds of the people of Catanduanes are not yet open to the idea of mining because of its potential impact on the security of the residents. Despite this, the question from the other camp is, what should the people of Caramoran and San Miguel do to benefit from the wealth given by the Almighty?
For now, such measures may be difficult because Catanduanes is an island, and we are the ones who will rely on ourselves to defend against increasingly powerful storms. According to some, if allowed even for a limited time, it might set a precedence and a few may possibly abuse nature using small-scale permits, although the Provincial Board says there are safeguard measures in place. The church asks, how long is temporary?
If you recall, even without a permit, there is already significant extraction in the Cabuyoan area that is currently under the care of the DENR.
Approximately 100 sacks of coal were confiscated by the DENR, but no one involved was apprehended. The question is, for those who slipped through, who bought the coal and where was it taken?
This is a wakeup call for the DENR. Don’t you have foresters guarding our forests? Where were you when the crime occurred? (Editorial)
