Contrary to what is circulating online, there are no approved mining exploration, development, or commercial extraction activities on Gibusong Island in the town of Loreto, Dinagat Islands, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines-Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) said.
This, as a senior official of the DENR also assured that there will be no mining activities on the island, in consideration of its fragile environment.
During the House committee on appropriations budget hearing tackling the proposed P28.04 billion budget of the DENR last week, Dinagat Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao cited the confusing status of the East Coast Mining Corporation, which was suspended since 2013. There were reports, however, that mining operations continue on Gibusong Island.
Bag-ao said the presence of mining on the island continues to hound residents of Gigusong Island in particular, and the Dinagat Islands in general, because the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) has not yet been cancelled.
According to the MGB, all rights and activities under the MPSA on Gigusong Island have been officially suspended since September 18, 2014 under a formal Suspension Order issued by DENR.
The order has not been lifted since, the MGB clarified. However, the public notice and advisory about its status were posted on social media but were never communicated to the public or the officials of the Province of Dinagat Islands.
During the budget hearing, Bag-ao inquired about the agency’s budget for the operations of its satellite offices in the CARAGA Region and the Province of Dinagat Islands, underscoring the need for proper monitoring of mining activities on Dinagat Islands.
Bag-ao underscoring the public clamor to enhance the DENR’s monitoring activities of mining companies because there’s a continuing threat of mining in Gibusan Island, as well as the province’s Bonsai forest on mainland Dinagat Island in the town of Loreto.
Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems, Climate Change and Administration Analiza R. Teh said there’s no specific budget for Dinagat, because of the absence of a Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Dinagat.