BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- Governor Carlos Padilla has warned OceanaGold Philippines Inc. executives to cease their operations or they would face court charges for allegedly continuing their activities without any permit in upland Didipio village in mineral ore-rich Kasibu town of this province.
“We consider the operations of Oceanagold as well as its shipping of minerals as illegal and no longer allowed by law. We will arrest culprits and seize illegally shipped minerals to be transported from the company’s compound,” Padilla told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview on Wednesday.
He said the company has no “legal right” and “no authority” even to ship out minerals as the financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA) had lapsed on June 20.
“After the June 20 lapse, they are no longer allowed to do so. Hence, I instructed our lawyers to study the cases to be filed soonest against the erring company,” he said, adding that the operations can be likened to local businesses that need permits to operate.
The company’s 25-year FTAA, which ended last June 20, to develop and exploit gold reserves in its 10,266-hectare concession area (which includes the 975-hectare farm mine area), is renewable for another 25 years.
Padilla opposed the stand of the company that it is allowed to continue operations pending the renewal of the agreement.
“What the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said was that they only took a position that the Oceanagold is permitted to continue its mining operation pending the approval of the renewal of its FTAA but it does not give the company the leeway to operate without a legal basis,” the Nueva Vizcaya governor added.
The governor said there is no holdover permit from the DENR yet until Secretary Roy Cimatu gives a go-signal on the issue.
“Where the licensee has made timely and sufficient application for the renewal of a license with reference to any activity of a continuing nature, the existing license shall not expire until the application shall have been finally determined by the agency,” MGB acting director Wilfredo Moncano said in his opinion letter given to Cimatu.
Mario Ancheta, MGB regional director, said in a statement that it is now up to President Rodrigo Duterte if government will renew the company’s 25-year FTAA.
“It’s now up to President Rodrigo Duterte as regards OPGI’s application for their FTAA’s renewal for another 25 years,” Ancheta said.
Protesters from Alyansa ng mga Nagkakaisang Vizcayano para sa Kalikasan (ANVIK) and Didipio villagers earlier opposed the Oceanagold’s renewal. They supported the stand of the provincial government.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Nueva Vizcaya also passed a resolution opposing the renewal of the company’s FTAA.
Oceanagold has filed a temporary restraining order before the court, seeking relief for the continuation of its operations. (PNA)
