ATM Press Release for DILG Letter
We Protect Our Community
QUEZON CITY – Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) supports the position of the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya in maintaining its checkpoint in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu, following the expiration of the OceanaGold Philippine Inc. (OGPI) Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA).
On November 22, 2019, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año sent a letter ordering the removal of the checkpoints in Brgy. Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya. The provincial government installed the checkpoint after the expiration of OGPI's FTAA in June 2019. The checkpoint was implemented on June 25, 2019.
"We maintain our position that the checkpoint should remain following the expiration of OceanaGold's FTAA and the decision of the RTC," stated Governor Carlos Padilla of Nueva Vizcaya.
The provincial government responded on December 6, 2019, maintaining the checkpoint in the area. They affirm that OGPI does not have any basis to continue its operations since its FTAA expiration.
OGPI filed a suit before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) - Branch 30 against the checkpoint of the provincial government, urging the removal of the said checkpoint. The RTC then issued a resolution on July 25, 2019, denying the request.
"Noong simula pa lamang hindi na kami pumayag na magkaroon ng pagmimina dito. Kaya tama lang na itigil na ang kanilang operasyon dito," said Myrna Duyan from BILEG DAGITI BABBAE – DESAMA.
ATM remains adamant in its call to the government to support and respect the decision of the community.
