Residents and local leaders of Malalag town in Davao del Sur have thrown their support behind a plan to set up in that town a multi-million dollar port facility, power station and filter plant by mineral development firm Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI).
The move came following a public scoping session set by the company on last week at the town gymnasium attended by close to a thousand residents representing various sectors as well as business, government, religious and civic leaders.
SMI holds a financial technical assistance agreement (FTAA) with the government allowing it to explore, develop and operate the US$5.2 billion Tampakan Copper Gold Project, considered the largest copper deposit in the Philippines .
In the consultation, residents and stakeholders raised their concerns and issues related to the proposed facility.
The sprawling complex can accommodate 60,000 deadweight ton bulk carriers, a 405-megawatt coal-fired power station, a 100MW diesel plant, and a copper-gold concentrate filter plant.
The company, on the other hand, took note of the concerns. The law mandates that SMI present a working plan on how the company intends to address possible effects of said facilities to the environment and the people.
Malalag mayor Roel Paras said the entry of SMI will open his sleepy coastal town to progress and new opportunities as well as generate jobs and livelihood for the locality that has traditionally relied mainly on fishing and farming.
He urged residents to participate in the planned projects, especially in the company’s initiative to actively involve communities in environmental conservation and protection.
Nestor Bulatucan, a resident of Bulacan, Malalag, is optimistic the proposed project will earn the support of residents because of the “tremendous opportunities” it is projected to bring to the local economy.
“Dakong tabang ni sa amoa (This is a big help to us),” he said.
Esmeralda Junsay of barangay Bagumbayan said she is convinced the company has the capability and resources to undertake environment protection measures.
“Of course, we have a role to play as residents and not leave everything to SMI,” Junsay added.
Davao del Sur administrator Jimmy Chin, who represented governor Douglas Cagas, said the provincial government “strongly supports responsible mining.”
He said the governor is “always willing to sit down” with company officials to work out a meaningful undertaking not only for the people of Malalag but also for Davao del Sur.
SMI is expected to provide a revenue stream of P1.85 trillion to the national economy during the life span of the mine.
