By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
www.nordis.net

BAUKO, Mt. Province — During the Benguet Press Corps (BPC) seminar on mining held here on June 11, this year, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB – DENR) said revocation of mine permit does not follow immediately after the nullification of the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) certification.

Earlier, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Central Office has nullified the FPIC certificate to Phase 3 concession of RoyalCo Philippines Inc in barangay Gambang, Bakun, Benguet.

In the congressional inquiry held in the said municipality, the NCIP Chairman, Zenaida Hamada – Pawid made a categorical statement that since the FPIC has been nullified, the revocation of the exploration permit in that specific area should follow because there is already no basis for it to exist. However, the MGB after several months has not acted on it.

Meanwhile, Engineer Roland Aquino of MGB during the aforementioned seminar said there are processes to be undertaken before a permit would be revoked. “Until such time that the nullification is final then we can revoke the permit,” he said. Specific processes however were not mentioned.

In the case of the Phase 3 concession of RoyalCo, he said they are still waiting for the finalized version of the nullification. The exploration activities he added should still continue while the revocation of the permit is not yet issued by the said agency.

On the other hand, Beverly Longid, president of Katribu partylist here said there are really processes for that therefore, it is better to resist the mine prior to its operation. “Kung naibigay mo na kasi ang consent, mahirap na itong mapigilan,” she said.

However, she added that as a matter of principle, the revocation of the permit should really follow if the basis of the said permit has been nullified. # nordis.net