Friday, November 22

Mine firm workers seek govt support

Nanawagan si Joey Dulnuan, Pangulo ng Runruno Friends of Highland Group Union sa mga bagong halal na opisyal ng pamahalaan na tumulong sa pagresolba ng gusot sa pagitan ng kanilang grupo, mga naninirahan sa loob ng Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement at FCF Minerals Corp. Dagdag niya na dapat itong pagtuunan ng agarang pansin at aksiyon tungo sa kanilang legal, matahimik, ligtas at maayos na pamumuhay. KUHA NI BENJAMION MOSES M. EBREO, PIA

BY BEJNAMIN MOSES M. EBREO

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (June 28)—More than 600 workers of the FCF Minerals Corporation in this town are seeking government intervention to stop the resistance and harassment of illegal settlers and small scale miners in barangay Runruno over the mine firm’s operation.

Joey Dulnuan, President of the Runruno Friends of Highland Group Union (RFHGU) said they want a peaceful resolution between the FCF Minerals Corporation and resisting villagers in Sitio Stage 3.

“We need the help of our government agencies to settle this conflict in Stage 3 area so we can do our regular work peacefully,” he said.

Workers of the mine firm who are conducting road development works to conduct drilling operations in Stage 3 have been hampered by alleged harassment actions from illegal settlers and small scale miners.

The resisting illegal settlers and small-scale miners have been demanding huge compensation from the FCF Minerals Corporation for their structural properties, agricultural development and land claims in a legal case filed before the Mines Adjudication Board (MAB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB).

Negotiations between the illegal settlers and small-scale miners and the mine firm was terminated in 2015.

The FCF Minerals Corporation posted a P.5 million bond and approved by the MGB as sufficient compensation.

In January 2019, the MGB issued a ‘Bond to Enter Public Land”, allowing the mine firm to conduct its mining activities within and around the contested forest land but was met by strong resistance from the illegal settlers and small scale miners.

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James Carmichael, FCF Minerals Corporation Country Manager said the resistance has been dragging on for more than two years, causing huge loses to the company.

He said the company is bent on implementing retrenchment procedures among its workers due to the stalled operations in Stage 3.

RFHGU members said the retrenchment will affect workers and their families in Quezon town and outside the municipality.

Quezon LGU Information Officer Wilfredo Pulido said the mayor will support the mine firm workers for their welfare.

He said the Mayor will not allow the 5000 mine firm workers to lose their jobs since it will affect their families and the LGU as well.