N. Vizcaya mining towns face demolitions

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya (Jan. 10) — It was a sad and indignant New Year for mining communities in the province, when houses were threatened of demolitions following the initial tearing down of some 14 houses.

While firecrackers are exploding midnight of December 31, Mariano Maddela, a Bugkalot leader, and his companions are pitching makeshift huts at the southern entrance of Barangay Pao in Kasibu. They were reportedly expecting exploration equipment to come early January.

Meanwhile in Barangay Didipio, here, 14 houses were demolished by the personnel of Royalco Philippines, formerly Oxiana Mining Company on December 31, following the entry of equipment through Dupax Norte, towards the entrance of an exploration site in Pao-Kakidugen barangays.

Earlier, human barricades guarded the area to prevent the entry of mining equipment.

The sound of bulldozers literally destroyed the peace as new access roads are being opened from the southern part, a local leader said in an emailed message to the media. “The night of January 8, a backhoe hired by Oceana Gold Philippines Exploration Company (OGPEC) managed to reach the foot of Mount Ubon in Papaya, a village in the valley hosting Luzon’s biggest citrus orchards,” the message read.

Angered by the way OGPEC came in like a thief in the night, Ifugao elder Raymundo Bolhayon rushed to gather people to mass up in the forest to prevent equipment from disturbing the watershed supplying the valley of drinking water and irrigation.

As the community gather their strength against the encroachment of mining exploration, local leaders have conflicting views on mining. Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban, earlier slapped with a contempt case for showing his support to the protesting residents, fear the case would be decided against him.

Quezon Mayor Aurelio Salun-at, on the other hand, publicly admitted he is supporting the operations of MTL Philippines, a subsidiary of the UK-based Metals PLC.

Community leaders continue to be harassed, with leader Josie Guillao still facing a slander case.

The community is dotted with orange orchards, tended mostly by migrants from nearby Ifugao and Benguet provinces in the Cordillera. # Abe Almirol for NORDIS