The Sangguniang Bayan of Mogpog has expressed full support to the efforts of the Municipal Government of Boac and the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MaCEC), in seeking "true justice and with the stand and objection to the draft proposed Nevada Case Settlement Agreement offered by Barrick Gold Corporation". It has likewise reiterated the recommendations contained in Boac Resolution No. 2014-028 dated March 10, 2014.
SB Mogpog's decision was contained in Resolution No. 72-2014 dated March 24, 2014, after its review of the many documents related to the settlement offer. The decision also comes "in the light of new development and amendments offered by Barrick" that the SB has found unacceptable.
In the same Resolution, the Mogpog municipal board also noted that in the last consultative meetings held on February 24 and March 11, 2014 with Attorneys Walter Scott and Harry Roque expounding on the latest development and options for Marinduque, "the stakeholders, present in attendance expressed disagreements and continuing objections to the draft of the Terms and Conditions of the Settlement Negotiations".
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| Flores de Mayo, Mogpog, Marinduque |
It was SB Mogpog's second resolution in two weeks pertinent to the proposed deal. On March 10, 2014, through Resolution No. 62-2014, it adopted a common stand to support in full, the objections of the municipal government of Boac, and agreed in principle to the "request for amendments and change in the language contained in the settlement agreement."
SB Mogpog has noted that its LGU had continuously expressed its sentiments, complaints and claims for justice against the mining companies "on the ill-effects (of irresponsible mining), caused to our constituents and the environment."
Mogpog is the fourth municipality to express its sentiments on the settlement negotiations between the Provincial Government of Marinduque and Barrick Gold which commenced more than two years ago. Only during the last couple of months, however, were the terms and conditions of the proposed deal was officially disclosed with proposed amendments from Barrick.
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| Offering flowers to the Boac River, March 2014 |
The municipal governments of Gasan through Resolution No. 2014-031 and Buenavista, with Resolution No. 05-2014 dated January 20, 2014, have earlier on also adopted their separate resolutions supporting the SB Boac move. The two municipalities also requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the proposed Nevada case settlement and ensure that said terms and conditions "are advantageous to the province and the present and future generations of Marinduquenos."
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| Gasang-Gasang Festival in Gasan |
In its resolution SB Gasan noted that "numerous has been the resolutions crafted by the six Sangguniang Bayans of Marinduque, NGOs like the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC) and the First Saturday Movers, Inc. for the restoration of Marinduque eco-system and the rehabilitation of damages brought about by the reckless mining operation by Marcopper Mining Corporation/Placer Domes, Inc."
"The municipality prays for nothing but the justiciable compensation to damages", the SB Gasan resolution stated in part.
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| Sto. Nino Festival in Buenavista |
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| SB Mogpog Resolution No. 72-2014 |
Republic of the Philippines
MUNICIPALITY OF MOGPOG
Marinduque
***
OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN
EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 12TH REGULAR SESSION HELD BY THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF MOGPOG, MARINDUQUE ON MARCH 24, 2014 AT THE NEW MUNICIPAL SESSION HALL
Present:
Hon. Rolando J. Mantala, Municipal Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer
Hon. Vryant Rajenv M. Belison, SB Member
Hon. Belen M. Luisaga, SB Member
Hon. Antonio L. Mangcucang III, SB Member
Hon. Gregoria J. Motol, SB Member
Hon. Nemesio O. Manggol, SB Member
Hon. Edmundo M. Ola, SB Member
Hon. Raymundo L. Larraquel, SB Member
Hon. Nonito G. Mogol, SB Member (Liga President)
Absent:
Hon. Roberto N. Narito, SB Member
Resolution No.72-2014
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING FULL SUPPORT, RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE TO THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF BOAC AND MACEC SHARING THEIR SENTIMENTS TO SEEK TRUE JUSTICE AND WITH THE STAND AND OBJECTION TO THE DRAFT PROPOSED NEVADA CASE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OFFERED BY BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION.
WHEREAS, this Body received documents related to Civil Cases filed by the Provincial Government of Marinduque versus Barrick Gold Corporation at the Nevada District Court in the USA, along with Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 111-2013, the town of Boac SB Res. No. 2013-100, 2014-023 and 2014-0128 dated Oct. 9, 2013, December 18, 2013, February 24, 2014 and March 10, 2014, all respectively.
WHEREAS, in the last two (2) important dialogues/Committee Consultative Meetings held at the Provincial Capitol of Boac, Marinduue on February 24, 2014 and March 11, 2014 regarding the issues with the Special Outside Legal Counsel, Atty. Walter "Skipp" J. Scott and expert witness Atty. Harry Roque expounding on the latest development and current position of the cases, the stakeholders, present in attendance expressed disagreements and continuing objections to the draft of the Terms and Conditions of the Settlement Negotiations being offered by Barrick Gold Corp. that rightful amendments are necessary with pleadings most favorable to Marinduquenos;
WHEREAS, after thorough review of the many documents specially on the latest SB Resolution No. 2014-028 of the town of Boac, this Body, now expresses full support, recognition and with gratitude to the concerted efforts of the town of Boac's leadership including the CSO's (MaCEC) unwavering commitment to seek true justice for the present and future generations of Marinduquenos.
WHEREAS, this Body, continuously expresses full respect to the dignity and human rights of our constituents, right to seek true and immediate justice through accepted legal remedies necessary to comfort and ease our agony... wanting to live at peace with our environment protected, restored to its originality for the welfare of our future generations of Mogpoguenos/Marinduquenos;
NOW THEREFORE
RESOLVED, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to express our FULL SUPPORT, RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE to the concerted efforts of the Municipal Government of Boac and MACEC sharing their sentiments to seek TRUE JUSTICE and with the stand and objection to the draft Proposed Nevada Case Settlement Agreement Offered by Barrick Gold Corporation to the Province of Marinduque in the light of new development and amendments offered by Barrick Gold, reiterating the recommendations contained in Boac SB Resolution No. 2014-028 dated March 10, 2014.
RESOLVED FINALLY, to furnish copy of this Resolution, the Office of the Governor of Marinduque, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque, all Local Chief Executives and SB's of Marinduque, the DENR-Manila, the PENRO-Boac, MACEC-Boac, Marinduque and all the Sangguniang Barangays of Mogpog, Marinduque for their information and appropriate action.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED, this 24th day of March 2014 at Mogpog, Marinduque on motion of Hon. Edmundo M. Ola duly seconded by Hon. Belen M. Luisaga.
CERTIFIED CORRECT:
(Signed)
URLAN M. MILAMBILING
Secretary to the SB
ATTESTED:
(Signed)
ROLANDO J.MANTALA
Municipal Vice Mayor
& Presiding Officer
APPROVED: March 24, 2014
(Signed)
SENEN M. LIVELO, JR.
Municipal Mayor
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| SB Mogpog Resolution No. 62-2014 |
