Tublay mayor hits MGB on copper plant
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By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
www.nordis.net
TUBLAY, Benguet — Mayor Ruben Paoad of this town said that the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on the construction and establishment of a copper concentrate processing plant is ironic.
The MGB, he said, recently furnished them a copy of the result of the agency’s landslide assessment and mapping in the municipality that says, Sitio Suyoc which is also the subject for the establishment of a copper concentrate plant is prone to land slides.
“Residents within the area are advised to be alert and vacate their homes during heavy and prolonged rains or typhoons in anticipation for a possible further occurrence of landslides,” the MGB findings read. It further stated that the findings shall serve as a Threat Advisory to the local officials.
However, Paoad said it is ironic for them to recommend to the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Boards (HLURB) that it is possible to construct a processing plant and a one storey bunkhouse in the subject area despite the aforementioned findings.
The MGB recommendation states that, “considering that the building to be constructed within the lot is semi-permanent and made-up of light materials and based from the foregoing findings and observations, the lot could be utilized for its intended purpose”.
Moreover, it added that there is a strong possibility that the building to be constructed will be affected by creeping causing cracks along concrete walls and floorings in the long run.
Based on the MGB recommendation, HLURB then issued the proponent a locational clearance. This however, does not allow them to construct yet because they will need a building permit from the local government. But prior reports stated that the proponent has already installed most of their copper plant equipment and two tailings ponds.
On July 11 however, the proponent, Merry Ann Francisco wrote a letter to Paoad with a copy of the MGB recommendation and HLURB locational clearance reiterating their desire to have the building permit.
On the other hand, Paoad is still firm on his position not to allow the said plant on the basis that the area is not stable and possibly hazardous. He added that he will file a motion for reconsideration before the HLURB relative to their issued clearnace. # nordis.net
