ANTIQUE – Gov. Rhodora Cadiao opposed the proposal to establish mineral land reservation in this province’s four upland towns – Sibalom, San Remigio, Patnongon, and Valderrama.
The governor, in a statement released yesterday, February 7, said “mineral land reservation is the euphemism for mining.”
“My personal and official stand on the matter is that I am against the plan or the proposal. Some argue that allowing the planned or proposed mining in Antique will usher economic boom. But they forget that environmental degradation inextricably associated with mining is a very steep price to pay for that economic boom,” Gov. Cadiao said.
She said when there is environmental degradation, natural disasters cannot be far behind.
“As we all know, natural disasters cause damage to private and government properties, and sometimes also loss of lives. We cannot allow these to happen in Antique,” the governor pointed out, adding that the province is too small to accommodate additional mining activities.
Only one firm presently engaged in coal mining in Antique is more than enough, she stressed.
Gov. Cadiao further called on Antiqueños to say no to mining “as more mining activities are unwelcome in Antique.”
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has proposed to declare 3,715 hectares in the aforementioned four towns as a mineral reservation.
A coalition of civil society groups, including environmental advocates, local organizations, church groups, and academic institutions, has also expressed concern over the proposal.
They said while the proposal does not immediately authorize mining, it paves the way for potential large-scale extraction of copper, gold, chromite, and silver, threatening Antique’s environmental integrity, community well-being, and sustainable development goals.
AMLIG Antique Alliance said the proposed mineral reservation encompasses critical ecosystems, including the Patnongon and Sibalom River Watershed, which supply drinking water to multiple municipalities and supports Antique’s agricultural heartland.
It added that mining operations could degrade water quality, disrupt water flow, and jeopardize farming livelihoods, posing a direct threat to local food security and economic stability./PN
