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LA TRINIDAD,Benguet: Tribal elders of Gambang in
Bakun claimed that they have approved and attested to the regularity
of the process which led to the issuance of an exploration permit
for Royalco Philippines to conduct mineral exploration in the
village.
In a press briefing on Friday,
Enero Calapen and Alex Soriano, both members of the council of
elders in Barangay Gambang, said the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC),
which paved the way to the issuance of the exploration permit for
Royalco Philippines Inc. was done in compliance with the law.
Calapen said all the councils of
elders in the affected communities were represented when Royalco,
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the
indigenous peoples’ representative signed the memorandum of
agreement in Buguias, Benguet in January 2008.
The elders said the affected
communities gave their consent, adding that they were in favor of
the exploration because of the development the firm would bring in
their area.
This statement was a reaction to
the letter of Barangay Gambang chairman Alvaro Paquito asking
Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan of Benguet to intervene for another
round of consultation among the affected communities. He claimed
that the proponent of the exploration failed to get the approval of
the majority of the communities in the affected areas.
NCIP Provincial Legal Officer
Severino Lumiqued, said that their office maintained that the agency
did not commit any irregularity in the issuance of FPIC and
certification pre-condition.
He also denied the claims of the
Gambang Indigenous Peoples Organization, which were cited by Paquito,
that the required majority vote was not met.
The elders, NCIP and Royalco
officials said they were surprised when Paquito issued the letter,
adding that as far as the process is concerned, all went well.
Royalco senior mining Engr. Ruben
Quitoriano and community relations officer Lourdes Dolinen said
majority of the Gambang people favor the exploration.
--Thom F. Picana
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