July 30, 2019
Dear PMPI Network Cluster Members,
Warm Greetings from the National Secretariat.
As you may have already heard, the DENR and its attached government body – the Mines and Geosciences Bureau – have decided to allow OceanaGold Philippine, Inc. (OGPI) to continue its operation under its already expired Financial/Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) No.1. Based on the MGB official list of approved mining contracts, FTAA No.1 already expired last June 20, 2019 (see attached “MGB letter to OGPI.Didipio”).
More importantly, the community-members of Nueva Viscaya including the Provincial Government and the LGU of Didipio, Municipality of Kasibu have been consistent with its demand to stop the mining operations of OGPI, and recently called for the non-renewal of its FTAA (see attached documents – Sangguniang Panlalawigan.Didipio, Sangguniang Barangay.Didipio, Ofc of the governor advisory.Didipio), and this stance against OGPI is shared by Most Reverent Jose Elmer I. Mangalinao, DD, Bishop of Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya (see attached Bp.Mangalinao letter.Didipio).
In this light, may we ask you to show your solidarity with the peoples of Nueva Viscaya by appending your signature (e-signature) in this statement that are right now in protest against the orders of DENR/MGB and moreover facing legal sanctions from OceanaGold Philippines, Inc.
For information, kindly see below a brief summary on the OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. history in Didipio, Nueva Viscaya
OGPI, formerly the Australasian Philippines Mining, Inc. (APMI), is the transferee of FTAA (Financial/Technical Assistance Agreement) originally granted by the government to Climax Mining Limited, also an Australian company in 1994.
OGPI FTAA covers 17,626 hectares of mineral lands in Didipio. The FTTA allows OGPI to go on full-scale commercial production and utilization of Gold, Copper, Nickel, Chromites. Lead, Zinc and other minerals except for cement raw materials like marble, granite, sand and gravel and construction aggregates.
FTAA No.001 of OGPI. in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya has already expired last June 20, 2019.
An application for renewal of FTAA was filed at DENR last October 2018 (according to MGB letter dated June 20, 2019 addressed to OGPI President Jose P. Leviste, Jr.). The application and the letter to OGPI was done without the knowledge of the LGUs and the affected communities.
A favorable endorsement by the MGB for the renewal of the FTAA was issued by MGB last April 30, 2019. A copy of the letter was shown to the Didipio group, but were not allowed to take a picture or secure a copy. The endorsement was addressed to the DENR Secretary. The justification was that OGPI had complied with all requirements for the application of renewal.
The LGU particularly Governor Carlos Padilla is very vocal in opposing the renewal of OGPI.
The POs (People Organizations) in protest against OGPI are SAPAKKMMI, DESAMA and ANVIK.
Thank you in advance. We hope for your positive response on
the matter.
