NUEVA VIZCAYA GOVERNOR   BRUSHES OFF MINING FIRM COMPLAINT

“If this is the prize of defending the rights of the Novo Vizcayanos, then so be it, I am willing to be put in jail.”

This was Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma’s reaction on the complaint filed against her and four other officials of the Provincial Government by Oceana Gold Philippines Inc. (OGPI) at the office of the Ombudsman.

According to Cuaresma, she is just doing her job as the Governor of the Province and that the allegation of the mining company that the cease and desist order (CDO) she issued has no legal basis is completely untrue. The province, Cuaresma said has an existing Tax Ordinance which was her basis in issuing the CDO against the quarrying activities of Oceana Gold. Cuaresma reiterated that if she will not implement the said ordinance she might also be charged of dereliction of duty.

“The only revenue that the province will receive from the mining operation are the local taxes that the firm should pay to the local government concerned,” Cuaresma said. However, Gov. Cuaresma clarified that she is not only after the taxes due to the provincial government but also she wants the mining company to answer the allegations of human rights violations against residents of Barangay. Didipio in Kasibu town who are directly affected by the mining operations. These includes  the illegal dismantling and demolition of houses  located at the mining site without proper compensation to the owners as well as the intimidation and harassment  committed  by  the company’s security personnel against the residents of Didipio who are identified as anti- mining advocates.

“As long as I am the Governor of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya, I will not allow my constituents to be stripped off their dignity and be abused by this arrogant mining officials,” Cuaresma said.

Named in the complaint of grave coercion and graft  at the Office of  the Ombudsman includes Senior Board Member Edu Balgos; Environment and Natural Resources Officer Francisco Tolentino; Danny Ramos of the ENRO and Sr. Insp. Chevalier Iringan of the Police Provincial Mobile Group.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Vice Governor Jose Gambito, he described the complaint as another form of harassment and intimidation of OceanaGold against provincial officials.  He said that the charges filed at the Ombudsman will not be a hindrance for the provincial government to continue its crusade to get what is due to the Novo Vizcayanos. #rachel itchon