ATRO MINING has allegedly defied an order by the local government of Zamboanga to stop its operations inside the city’s watershed area in Barangay Vitali.
The City Government issued a “show cause” against Atro Mining Vitali, Inc. to explain why its mining operations and all activities in Vitali should not be permanently stopped and closed.
Mayor Beng Climaco, a strong environmental advocate, signed the order, citing 8 issues that Atro Mining should explain and answer. The order was served by Assistant City Administrator Cesar Raz and received by Engr. Percival Bertuso Jr., Atro Mining resident manager.
Climaco said the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) by and between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with Hard Rock Mineral Trading, Inc. (HARD ROCK) was entered into without prior consultation with the local government as mandatorily required under the Local Government Code and rendering the MPSA null and void from the beginning.
The Hard Rock entered into an Exclusive Mines Operating Agreement with Atro Mining Vitali, Inc. (ATRO), whereby Hard Rock assigned its rights, interest and participation under its MPSA to ATRO.
The show cause order also emphasized that Hard Rock’s MPSA which covers an area of 2,077.30 hectares is situated inside the Vitali watershed and that on June 5, 2002, the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed and approved Resolution No. 566 declaring Ayala, Culianan, Manicahan, Bolong, Curuan, and Vitali as watershed and protected areas.
It added that under City Ordinance No. 273, otherwise known as the “Revised Zoning Ordinance of Zamboanga City” enacted on December 19, 2005, Vitali watershed is identified as one of the 6 watershed areas of Zamboanga City.
And on December 12, 2019, the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously enacted and approved Resolution 1771 earnestly requesting the DENR to cancel and not to implement the MPSA No. 237-2007-IV entered into by DENR with Hard Rock Mineral Trading, Inc. relative to the mining operations of Atro Mining Vitali, Inc. and thereby joining and supporting the position of Climaco on the matter.
Climaco said the Vitali watershed is considered as vital and critical source of Zamboanga City’s dwindling water supply now and in decades to come and should be preserved and protected for generations to come. (Zamboanga Post)
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The extent of Atro Mining operations in Barangay Vitali where Zamboanga City's water shed area is located. (Giana Andrion)
The City Government issued a “show cause” against Atro Mining Vitali, Inc. to explain why its mining operations and all activities in Vitali should not be permanently stopped and closed.
Mayor Beng Climaco, a strong environmental advocate, signed the order, citing 8 issues that Atro Mining should explain and answer. The order was served by Assistant City Administrator Cesar Raz and received by Engr. Percival Bertuso Jr., Atro Mining resident manager.
Climaco said the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) by and between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with Hard Rock Mineral Trading, Inc. (HARD ROCK) was entered into without prior consultation with the local government as mandatorily required under the Local Government Code and rendering the MPSA null and void from the beginning.
The Hard Rock entered into an Exclusive Mines Operating Agreement with Atro Mining Vitali, Inc. (ATRO), whereby Hard Rock assigned its rights, interest and participation under its MPSA to ATRO.
The show cause order also emphasized that Hard Rock’s MPSA which covers an area of 2,077.30 hectares is situated inside the Vitali watershed and that on June 5, 2002, the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed and approved Resolution No. 566 declaring Ayala, Culianan, Manicahan, Bolong, Curuan, and Vitali as watershed and protected areas.
It added that under City Ordinance No. 273, otherwise known as the “Revised Zoning Ordinance of Zamboanga City” enacted on December 19, 2005, Vitali watershed is identified as one of the 6 watershed areas of Zamboanga City.
And on December 12, 2019, the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously enacted and approved Resolution 1771 earnestly requesting the DENR to cancel and not to implement the MPSA No. 237-2007-IV entered into by DENR with Hard Rock Mineral Trading, Inc. relative to the mining operations of Atro Mining Vitali, Inc. and thereby joining and supporting the position of Climaco on the matter.
Climaco said the Vitali watershed is considered as vital and critical source of Zamboanga City’s dwindling water supply now and in decades to come and should be preserved and protected for generations to come. (Zamboanga Post)
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