Philippines Update
Published by MAC on 2006-11-19
Philippines Update
19th November 2006
Widespread community opposition to mining continues throughout the Philippines, be it in the Compostella Valley, Negros Oriental or Dumingag. Local officials in South Cotabato have censured the government, and Crew Gold's local partner, for bypassing them, despite legal requirements.. Both the Governor and Bishop of Mindoro Oriental have written to the Minister of the Environment, once again stressing their opposition to Crew's proposed nickel project there. The Bishop in Zamboanga del Norte has accused TVI Pacific of lying, as controversy swirls around TVI's expansion into Bayog. The arguments over the "post-tremor problems" at Marcopper's old tailings dam serve to confirm communities beliefs that their opposition is founded upon real fears.