DAET, Camarines Norte – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has ordered the immediate dismantling of the mineral processing plant operated by the Bohai Top International Mining Corporation effective Feb. 10, 2014.
The order was issued by MGB Bicol regional director Theodore Rommel E. Pestaño after a joint operation last week conducted by the mines bureau, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Immigration that resulted to the seizure of several heavy equipment and apprehension of several Chinese nationals who were allegedly involved in the illegal mining and milling operations at Barangay Napaod in Labo town.
Director Pestaño said that based from their records, no mineral processing permit was issued to Bohai Top International Corp. for the installation of the above facilities. The order also states that continued processing of minerals will pose potential hazard to its immediate environs and is violative of the provision of RA 7942, EO 79, Presidential Directive and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Earlier previous monitoring and verification conducted by the MGB revealed that a mineral processing plant and its appurtenances have been installed by the said corporation in Napaod village.
Under Section 109 of DAO 2010-21, providing for a consolidated DENR Administrative Order for the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No.7942 otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, prohibits any person from engaging in the processing of minerals without mineral processing permit. Director Pestaño said that they have already issued on October 1, 2013 a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) to the said processing plant in violation of the said provision.
MGB has also received several complaints from the concerned citizens, landowners and Congresswoman Catherine Barcelona Reyes despite by the CDO issued, the company still continues its mining and milling operations without appropriate permits from the concerned government agencies.
Meanwhile, in a press conference called by the Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Adan Marcelo Botor on Feb.11, He clarified that the provincial government through Governor Edgardo Tallado did not renew the temporary small scale mining permit to the Bohai Top Corp. He bared that majority of the mining areas in the province are now covered by the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) issued by the national government.
He cited that the remedy in the illegal mining is to regulate the laws and to provide alternative jobs for the small scale miners. Provincial Environment Natural Resources Office chief Engr. Leopoldo Badiola on the other hand said that the provincial government has issued temporary small scale mining permit to the Bohai Top in 2011 in a renewable basis and has expired in July 25, 2013.
He said that they cannot rehabilitate the mining area left by the said corporation because it is also part of the on-going exploration study of the Mt. Labo Exploration, a large scale mining which has a permit from the national government. - ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT/PIA
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