An orientation on Off-Shore Magnetite Sand Mining and Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) was conducted for the fisher folks, lawmakers, and concerned stake holders at the Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center last June 1. This forum, spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office, tackled the effects of magnetite mining on coastal habitat and near shore areas, advantages and disadvantages of mining this type of mineral on the legal, economic and social aspects.
Magnetite is a type of iron ore which is a rock or mineral from which metallic iron can be economically extracted and can be used to make steel.
Mayor Severo Palanca told everyone that the forum was done for the people to be aware of the effects of this project while Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca disclosed that the City abhors and opposes the mining project.
Councilor and Chairman on Laws and Ordinances Rene Imperial added that a public hearing on a resolution opposing off-shore mining was done last May 31 and regarded that we are all challenged to protect our municipal waters.
Other resource persons were invited to share their thoughts on this issue during the first part of the orientation.
Community Affairs Officer II of the Provincial Environment Management Office Regulatory Services Division Eriberto Madalag talked about the negative impact of Off-Shore Magnetite Sand Mining in the Province along with the legal discussion from Atty. Wilmond Peñalosa of the Provincial Legal Office.
Madalag emphasized that the mining activity will create bio-physical, socio-economic and financial damages.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region VI OIC-Regional Director had a presentation on the Mining Act of 1995 and status of minerals industry in Negros Occidental while Program Adviser of GIZ Coastal Fisheries Resources Management VI Portia Joy Kleiven reiterated that coastal resource management is very important to sustain our resources and considered the mining activity as a coastal disturbance.
Engr. Felix Querubin of the University of St. La Salle made the fisher folks more informed on the environmental impact assessment which was followed by an open forum.
During the second part of the orientation, Provincial FARMC Coordinator of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Bacolod City Ruel Almoneda has widened the understanding of the fisher folks regarding the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 196. by Jemaimah Taladico
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