Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government here has ordered OceanaGold Philippines Inc. to stop its mining operations in barangay Didipio here following the expiration of its Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement issued by the Office of the President on June 20.
Governor Carlos Padilla led provincial government personnel in issuing the Cease and Desist Order last week and held a dialogue with the anti-mining villagers and barangay officials in Didipio.
The order considered the claim of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau that OGPI can continue its operations pending the approval of its new FTAA application as “a mere pronouncement and not a confirmation” allowing the resumption of the firm’s operations.
Padilla’s order also directed the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philippine National Police, Kasibu municipal and Didipio barangay local governments to “enjoin and restrain” any operations of OGPI since its FTAA expiration.
During the forum in Didipio, Padilla urged the villagers to maintain their harmony and unity in their communities despite their different stances on the mining project.
“Because of the mining project, we were divided but please let us maintain peace and harmony in our communities. Let us not allow mining issues to destroy our culture and unity,” he said.
Padilla urged the villagers to let the provincial government’s legal actions take their due course, as they will issue a cease and desist order against OGPI.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in a special session last week also approved a resolution declaring all mining activities in barangay Didipio as illegal and urged Padilla to undertake all necessary and legal actions to protect the interest of the state, especially Novo Vizcayanos.
In a separate resolution, the provincial board also urged municipal officials of Kasibu to cause the cancellation of OGPI’s mayor’s permit in barangay Didipio in the wake of the expiration of its FTAA, which was first issued in 1994.
