Transfer of mines chief sought

Sunstar Tacloban

MEMBERS of the Leyte Provincial Board signed a petition addressed to Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the reassignment of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Roger De Dios.

The petition dated May 29, 2011 came after De Dios reportedly violated the conditions in the process of acquiring permit for mining exploration and operation in the province of Leyte, as mandated by national and local laws.

The petition stated De Dios “willfully ignore the pertinent procedural requirements of both the national and local laws pertaining to mining and is reflective of the arrogance, gross ignorance of the law, dereliction of duty and abuse of authority…”

The petition was signed by 10 members of the Provincial Board and Leyte Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla.

Leyte first district Board Member Roque Tiu said despite the guidelines in approving permits for exploration and mining operation, De Dios immediately recommended the approval of mining permits to the MGB without prior consultation and resolution interposing no objection from the Provincial Board.

Further, the petition cited the approval of the declaration of mining project of Vincent Tan Tiong on November 2010, whose magnetite sand mining operation being conducted by the Nicua Mining Corporation was later turned into a commercial mining operation.

The Provincial Board saw this as a violation to their agreement made during the meeting with the DENR undersecretary, MGB national director, Petilla and other provincial officials that the MGB will no longer grant mining permits without complying the required consultation and resolution interposing no objection from the board.

It also stated that despite consistent reminder of the Provincial Board to De Dios to conduct periodic consultation, the board’s committee on environment and natural resources has still been receiving mining applicants, submitting their documents and requesting for a schedule to present before the members of Provincial Board. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)