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First Posted on Inside Mindanao: May 7, 2007

Moving Mountains
By Jesus Catamco, Jr. and Ellen Red

MIDSALIP, ZAMBOAGA DEL SUR-Seven companies are now planning to conduct large-scale mining in the mountains of Midsalip town.

According to the report of the Local Environment and Natural Resources (LENRO) of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, as of April 23, 2007, the seven companies planning to conduct large-scale mining in the mountains of Midsalip are the following: TVI Resources Development Philippines, Inc., Francisco E. Real, Masada Resources & Mining Corp., AP TANG Philippines Mining Corp., Geotechniques & Mines, Inc., Mindanao Mining & Minerals Resources Corp., and Cebu Ore Mining.

The two companies, TVI Resources Development Philippines, Inc. and Francisco E. Real, are applying for exploration permits; while the other five companies are applying for mineral production sharing agreement.

Under Republic Act 7942, otherwise known as Philippine Mining Act of 1995, exploration permit is defined as a "grant to the permittee, his heirs or successors-in-interest, the right to enter, occupy and explore the area." In addition, the law provides that permittee granted exploration permit "may apply for a mineral production sharing agreement, joint venture agreement, co-production agreement or financial or technical assistance agreement over the permit area...."

On the other hand, the law defines mineral production sharing agreement as an "agreement where the Government grants to the contractor the exclusive right to conduct mining operations within a contract area and shares in the gross output. The contractor shall provide the financing, technology, management and personnel necessary for the implementation of this agreement."

In addition to the seven companies planning to mine the mountains of Midsalip, the Association of Barangay Council of Midsalip passed a resolution calling for the declaration of barangays Cumaron, Cabaluran, Guinabot, Canipay Sur, Sigapod, Duelic, Guitalos Pesompongan, Pili, and Pawan as Minahang Bayan or People's Small-Scale Mining Area in Midsalip town. The Sangguniang Bayan of Midsalip passed a similar resolution.

The law Republic Act 7076 provides for the establishment of People's Small-Scale Mining Program to be implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Specifically, the law provides for the identification, segregation and reservation of certain mineral lands as People's Small-Scale Mining Areas.

The combined land area of the mining applications, both large-scale and small-scale, practically covers most part of Midsalip town. Midsalip has a total land area of 161.56 square kilometers. Based on the 2000 census, the municipality of Midsalip has a population of about 28,000 people. Most of the residents are farmers of food crops such as rice, corn, coconut and are livestock raisers of animals such as carabao, cow, horse, goats, and chickens.