Semirara not poor anymore – mayor

Panay News
REGION September 4, 2016

SAN JOSE, Antique – Mayor Genevieve Lim Reyes of Caluya, Antique denied that the island municipality has remained poor despite its rich coal deposits.

Reacting to Environment secretary Gina Lopez’s media interview regarding Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), Reyes said that on the contrary, it is because of SMPC that Caluya and Semirara islands are enjoying 24 hours of electricity.

Even the other islands of Caluya have electricity for six to eight hours, Reyes added.

Lopez asked SMPC to explain why its permit should not be cancelled despite alleged violations in safety requirements.

Reyes said the local government has not received any complaint from the majority of her constituents over SMPC’s operation that it could act upon.

She said she has felt the development brought by the SMPC, owing to the power supply and the livelihood projects the people have been enjoying.

Since July 1 when Lopez started checking compliance with environment laws, she had suspended eight mining operations.

SMPC is the country’s largest coal producer. According to Lopez, the Semirara mining pit has sunk below sea level and continued coal mining could “kill” Semirara Island.

Even as the company’s revenues reached billions of pesos, nearly half of the island is poor, Lopez lamented.

“They (people) have suffered for a long, long period of time and this is not acceptable,” she stressed. (PNA)