By:Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
Despite calls from environmental groups, the clergy, and the citizens of South Cotabato to stop the lifting of the open-pit mining ban in the province, the South Cotabato Provincial Board voted 7-5 to deny the motion for reconsideration for the ordinance amending the provincial Environment Code they passed last week.
Had the motion of reconsideration been granted, the ordinance would go back to the third and final reading and a nominal voting would be conducted again for the members of the provincial board to explain their votes on the lifting of the open-pit mining ban.
The seven (7) Board Members who denied the motion for reconsideration were:
1. Hilario De Pedro VI
2. Antonio Fungan
3. Dardanilo Dar
4. Rolando Malabuyoc
5. Noel Escobillo
6. Henry Ladot
7. Glezel Mariano Trabado
On the other hand, the five (5) Board Members who approved the motion were:
1. Ester Marin Catorce
2. Ellen Grace Subere Albios
3. Alyssa Marie Fale
4. Rose Grace Achurra
5. Jinky Avance
Masa para sa Kalayaan (MAKALAYA), along with other cause-oriented groups, held a protest march from General Santos City to Koronadal City on Monday, May 23, against the local law allowing the environmentally-damaging mining practice in their province, specifically in the municipality of Tampakan.
Just last week, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. vowed that he will not sign the ordinance once it reaches his table.
Tamayo made such a commitment after a dialogue with Marbel Bishop Allan Casicas, who led the solidarity walk last week calling for the vetoing of the amendments to the provincial Environment Code.
He, however, would base his decision on the assessment of the technical working group he formed. He believes that his decision would be for the best of the South Cotabateños.
Screengrab from Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato FB Live stream: