ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE (Mindanao Examiner / June 20, 2013) – Julius Lobrigas, the newly-elected town mayor of Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte province, has openly declared that he will push for the continued operations of mining firm TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. as it has become the town’s strong development partner for many years now.
Lobrigas said this is his primary agenda once he assumes office on June 30.
“I will seek the support of the town’s council to pass a resolution asking the President to approve the company’s application for the expansion of its Mineral Processing Sharing Agreement,” he said. “Also, I will seek the support of the Association of Barangay Captains in my town for them to do the same.”
Siocon is host municipality to TVIRD which operates a copper-zinc mine in Canatuan – a highland village inhabited by Subanon indigenous people.
Since ramping-up operations in 2004, the company has contributed significantly to the town’s economy in the form of taxes, permits and development projects under its corporate social commitment.
Also during the same period, the company had paid over P220 million in royalties to its indigenous hosts. Since 2011, the company has pegged its rate of royalty remittances at 50% above the industry average rate and the town has been elevated from being a 4th class municipality to 1st class status owing to the presence and economic activity spurred by the company.
Mine life extension
While TVIRD is set to conclude its current operations this year, it has initiated a comprehensive new exploration program among the claims surrounding Canatuan. The nearest prospect is Malusok, which is also within the ancestral land of the Subanon people who already gave their Free Prior and Informed Consent for the company to mine the area.
The company has applied for an expansion of their MPSA to include Malusok in its concession area and has been waiting for the DENR’s approval.
“Even if we don’t get to benefit from the excise taxes this time, we would still greatly benefit just the same,” Lobrigas said.
If the company’s application pushes through, ore mining will be conducted in Malusok in town of Baliguian where taxes will now be paid. However, processing will still be in its present mine site in Canatuan while its product shipment would still be from the port of Santa Maria – both in the town of Siocon. The town will continue to benefit from the company’s economic activity and downstream industries.
On the flip-side
More than 450 TVIRD employees, who are natives of Siocon, or an estimated half of its Canatuan workforce, would be greatly affected if the expansion does not push through.
Likewise, people whose livelihood and businesses, as well as many downstream industries that depend on the company’s daily operations, are in the same situation which is one of economic uncertainties of the town.
Hadji Muin Sangkula, leader of the Muslim enclave of Bucana village, also underscored TVIRD’s contributions to his town and his people. Just recently, Sangkula’s barangay, the 2nd largest in Siocon, benefited from the company’s infrastructure projects that included a new village hall and various community facilities.
“For many years we have been waiting for these projects and these were only realized when we sought the assistance of TVIRD,” Sangkula said.
The Subanon host community, which enjoys the free services of the company clinic and constant support to the Canatuan Elementary School, will bear a greater impact.
Free consultations and medicines, scholarships, textbooks, school buses, maintenance and repair of farm-to-market roads, environmental management and many other benefits will likely cease to exist when the company closes for good.
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