3/8/12 Ilocos Times - Online1/3 ilocostimes.com/oct23-no12-06/nes_17.htmOcober 29, 2006THE ILOCOS TIMES - NEWS SP urges DENR to strictly studymining applicationsOWING to several complaints due to the on-going extraction oI mineral reserves inthe province, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has urged the Department oIEnvironment and Natural Resources (DENR) to properly evaluate applications Iorthe exploration and extraction oI minerals to ensure strict compliance to allenvironmental saIety measures under Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine MiningAct oI 1995.Sponsored by SP member Shirley O. Sin, draIt provincial resolution no. 2006-09-197 was unanimously passed by the provincial board during its regular session onOctober 23 in a move to ensure that mining applicants in the province would strictlyadhere to the governing rules and regulations oI the mining law.According to the lady lawmaker Irom Laoag City, she was prompted to sponsor thesaid resolution due to several complaints coming Irom aIIected local residents,particularly in Vintar and Pasuquin, where quarrying and mining operations arecurrently being undertaken.Citing an oIIicial complaint Iiled by Vintar Vice Mayor Antonio Foronda, Sinreported that the local oIIicial has complained about the presence oI gravel and sandoperators in their area without clearances and permits duly approved by thebarangay, municipal and provincial authorities.SP member AmeurIina A. Respicio also noted several complaints Irom cooperativegroups in Carasi, Ilocos Norte where Rigid Aggregates Mining Corporation hasapplied Ior a large-scale iron ore mining operation in Sitio Lammin.Respicio said the cooperative groups in Carasi were not consulted when Rigidapplied Ior mining extraction in the area. It was also noted in the same complaint thatRigid is also being accused oI illegally cutting trees in the area.Several oIIicials and local residents oI Pasuquin, Pinili and Burgos have also Iiledcomplaints against mining operators in their localities, saying the applicants have notcomplied with all the policies and guidelines oI the saIe mining.To date, at least three mining companies are currently operating in Ilocos Norte.These are Rigid, which operates in Carasi; Ilocos Norte Mining Corporation, whichoperates in Pinili; and Northern Mining Corporation, which extracts Ieldspar andsilica in Currimao, Pasuquin and Burgos.Aside Irom passing oI the resolution addressed to DENR Sec. Angelo T. Reyes, SPmember Da Vinci M. Crisostomo, also said a public hearing would be conducted as3/8/12 Ilocos Times - Online2/3 ilocostimes.com/oct23-no12-06/nes_17.htmhe enjoined the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, DENR, the mining operators andconcerned residents to attend so they could all thresh out the issues and concerns oIthe mining operations.Crisostomo, who chairs the committee on good government, pointed out that thereis a need to conduct an in-depth investigation oI these issues as it appears Irom thecomplaints that mining applicants had not properly consulted with local authorities inthe barangay, municipal and provincial levels.No schedule however had been set Ior the public hearing.Leilanie G. AdrianoOther Nes... PGMA sends flowers to FM crypt on All-Saints Day Provl AI taskforce drafts plan of action My services are extremely needed, says retiredgovt doc SP allocates fund for addl BJMP jail cells Supreme Court suspends Ilocos judge Ilocos church leader survives ambush try LC trike franchises with ending numbers of 4-0urged to comply Pamulinawen vinegar, too acidicBFAR Playing PC games during office hours, a no-no Solsona town to carry on Clean-and -Greenprogram Solsona mayor lauds Maui couple Ilocos Norte expects P5B to pour after investmentsummit IN convention center, hotel groundbreaking set thismonth Business thrives along Pagudpuds white beaches No payment for trike fare guide DAR joins millennium devt campaign LC DepEd holds training for mentors SP urges DENR to strictly study mining applications INEC, LC ordered to submit memoranda Pagudpud folks release sea turtles back to thebeach Batacs son represents RP in intl fora Creation of provl education board sought Bangui council cancels 6 sessions RCF set to file taxpayer suit vs provl officials 1st Peace Pole in North installed in LC Ilocos rights group condemn abduction of IlocosSur captain Council says IRA monetization fund alreadyappropriated DA to farmers: Turn your rice straw, home waste asfertilizer Pines City Colleges tourism studes visit Pagudpudresort