KIBUNGAN, Benguet – Local officials and residents affirmed the proposed legislation by Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan for the declaration of the municipality as a no-mining town to put an end to the fear of people of large-scale and small-scale mining operations in any part of the locality that will result in the damage to the environment and the sources of livelihood of the indigenous peoples.
Mayor Cesar Molitas said the re-affirmation of support was made by the local officials and residents to the town’s no-mining policy during the recent consultations organized by Rep. Cosalan to again discuss the matter with the people if they want their locality to be declared as a no-mining town.
In the 16th Congress, Cosalan filed a bill declaring Kibungan as a no-mining town in response to the numerous requests from the townspeople to prevent interested mining companies from conducting exploration and other mining-related activities in their place which could cause heavy damage to the state of their environment, their ancestral domain and their legitimate sources of livelihood.
Molitas revealed the people of Kibungan are satisfied with agriculture, tourism and other related economic activities as their sources of livelihood because they want to preserve the status of their municipality as a mining-free area to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy life in a well-preserved environment which they would also pass on to their descendants in the future.
Cosalan’s bill declaring Kibungan as a no-mining zone was approved on third and final reading in the House of Representatives in the 16th Congress but it was not able to hurdle the approval of the Senate, thus, the need to re-file the legislative measure with the hope that it would be acted upon by the present batch of lawmakers.
Kibungan is known as the little Switzerland of the Philippines because of its scenic rock formations within the mountain slopes patronized by trekking enthusiasts and nature-lovers wanting to scale the challenging mountain ranges like those found in the different parts of the town.
Mayor Molitas claimed it was the agreement of the local officials and residents during the consultation to request Cosalan to re-file his previously approved bill declaring Kibungan as a no-mining town to send a clear message to interested mining companies and groups of small-scale miners that they have no place in the municipality to do their trade.
It will be recalled that a number of large-scale mining companies previously applied for exploration activities in the different parts of the municipality but the people and the officialdom raised their vehement opposition to such environmentally critical projects.
Molitas explained the local residents argued that the extent of damage to be inflicted by mining to the environment, lands, and sources of livelihood will be detrimental putting at risk the bright future of their descendants, thus, they will not sacrifice the fate of the present and future generations to risky projects.
By HENT
