About 200 members of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap-Negros joined the nationally-coordinated rally of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas yesterday calling on all government officials and heads of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the province not to approve offshore mining in Northern Negros.

The group is opposing the proposed offshore magnetite sand mining of Massart Mineral Resources, Inc. that covers 28,600 hectares of coastal areas from the towns of Pontevedra to Manapla, Ireneo Longinos, KADAMAY spokesperson said.

He said that if offshore mining in Northern Negros will push through, many families will lose their livelihood and most of them will be displaced.

Longinos said the company already has a permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau but they cannot start their mining exploration in the province without the approval of the provincial government, local government units, and acceptance from the community.

“This is what we want to prevent. If there is no approval from our leaders here, mining explorations will not be permitted,” Longinos also said.

Mining explorations can cause destruction of the marine and aquatic resources, sea grasses, and other living organisms, he said.

The group also condemned the irresponsibility of the leadership of President Benigno Aquino III in regulating mining operations in the country.

Fishermen from the cities of Sagay, Cadiz, Victorias, Bacolod, and E.B. Magalona joined the rally. *LTG

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