Church And Government Leader Calls Tvi Pacific A 'liar'

Church and Government Leader Calls TVI Pacific a 'liar'

By Tito Natividad Fiel, DCMI

11th November 2006

Dipolog City - The Canadian mining company TVI Pacific has been portraying itself as a responsible miner, not just in the Philippines, but all over the world. However this image has been ruined when the highest church leader in the province of Zamboanga Del Norte has accused it recently of being a 'liar company.'

Most Rev. Jose R. Manguiran, the Bishop of the Diocese of Dipolog and the Bishop In-charge of the DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI) in a recent press conference hosted by DCMI, strongly condemned the lies employed by TVI against the church and its people.

Bishop Manguiran quoted the report of TVI, which was distributed during the mining forum initiated by the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) and sponsored by the TVI mining, to prove the extent and the intensity of TVI's lies.

The Bishop noted that the TVI report said that "TVI hosted over 300 visitors on February 20-21, this year led by Bishop Jose R. Manguiran and Mayor Ceasar Soriano of Siocon. The Bishop led an interfaith rally in Canatuan",

The Bishop said that he was there in Canatuan not to bless the mining operation of TVI, but to denounce TVI's mining operation, because they destroyed the sacred ground of the Subanon people, which is the place that they practice their own prayers led by their traditional chieftain Timuay Jose "Boy" Anoy.

In the same manner, TVI continually claims that they are operating legally in Mount Canatuan, but it has been revealed by the Provincial Government a week ago that they are operating without the government approved Environmental Protection Enhancement Program (EPEP).

Earlier this month, the Provincial Attorney of Zamboanga del Norte, Jess Gal Sarmiento revealed that, based on the record discovered by Romelo Damuag - who is also member of the Tri-Partite Monitoring Team on the Mining Gold Project in Canatuan - in the Provincial Environment Development Office (PEDO), it appears that TVI submitted its EPEP in 1997, but it was not approved.

The Provincial Government has asked TVI about their EPEP. TVI have replied that they have it, but when asked for a copy they have failed to produce a copy of the said document.

Likewise, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) say that TVI submitted its EPEP in 1997, but failed to get approval due to its failure to comply the certain requirements.

The MGB Regional Director also confirmed that TVI failed to submit another EPEP, and its operation in Canatuan is using the old and disapproved EPEP.

Since the beginning, TVI is operating without getting all the necessary requirements, but through intimidation of local people to give in their constitutional rights as citizens of the Philippines.

The MGB is continuing to defend the deeds of TVI Canadian mining firm despite the irregularities that they are operating despite lacking several necessary requirements.