Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan has raised concerns over “escalated mining operations” on the historic island of Homonhon off the town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar province.
He added: “We call on our government leaders and concerned agencies to take action on this matter and to consider primarily the preservation, safety, and welfare of the affected areas and its residents.”The 20-kilometer long island, which is known for its vast deposits of nickel and chromite, has been grappling with open-pit mining since the 1990s, which continued to this day amid objection from many of the island’s 4,413 population and the diocese.
“I am not against mining. I am for responsible mining. I don’t want the bad practice of mining to erase the rich history of Homonhon,” he said in a speech he delivered during the commemoration of Magellan’s landing on the island held on March 23. According to Evardone, the four companies currently operating on Homonhon Island are Techiron Resources Inc.; Emir Mineral Resources Corp.; King Resources Mining Corp.; and Global Min-met Resources Inc., all of which started only sometime in early 2015.
Residents of the island led by the environmental group “Save Homonhon” have been conducting sporadic protest activities to stop the mining operations in the locality.
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