fuentes tells smi: plant more trees

Posted on July 13, 2011 by durianpost

South Cotabato lawmaker Daisy Fuentes has encouraged Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), proponent of the massive Tampakan Copper-Gold project , to start putting up water impounding facilities and continue planting trees, particularly within the project's buffer zone.
Since 2005, the company has been credited here and abroad for its aggressive environmental awareness and protection campaigns. It has already planted and distributed over 250,000 seedlings within the project area and neighboring communities.
"I had a dialogue with the company and required them to set up water impounding units and to start planting trees for the buffer zone. (When they do that), they can start development as far as I am concerned", Fuentes said.
"I understand the position of the national government. We cannot be hypocrites by saying no to mining when the economy needs it", the congresswoman said.
Fuentes pushed for an early establishment of a "green" buffer zone in time for full commercial operations in 2016.
"In the case of the San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC), I believe the people of Lake Sebu have agreed to a community assistance plan worth around PP30 million", she revealed.
SMEC also plans to employ the open-pit method for their coal mine in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
"That is why with the communities in South Cotabato accepting the benefits from these mining projects, the open-pit ban is now useless", Fuentes said.