tampakan

"We cannot leave to chance the welfare of the majority of our inhabitants neither can rely on other agencies which have macro-perspective and maybe tempted to belittle local concern and prefer the nation’s “greater” good. Therefore, let the controversial ban stays until all data and studies are presented so that the political leadership of this province possesses sufficient knowledge to make an informed decision on the matter and ensure that the evils we fear do not visit our communities." -Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes

By Aquiles Zonio
Inquirer Mindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Religious and environment groups hailed outgoing Gov. Daisy Fuentes of South Cotabato for signing into law a local environment code, which banned open-pit mining in the province.

“Up to the last hour of her stay in office, Gov. Fuentes remains true to her promise to protect the environment and uphold the interest of the greater majority,” Fr. Romeo Catedral, chief of the social action center of the Diocese of Marbel based in Koronadal City, some 58 kilometers west of here.

Both the pro-mining and anti-mining groups staged separate protest actions a few weeks back to push for their positions on the issue.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) or the provincial council members approved on June 9 the province’s environment code, with nine board members voting in favor of the controversial code, one opposing and two abstaining.