Mr. Roger A. de Dios

Regional Director

Mines and Geosciences Bureau

White Plaines Subdivision, Banilad

Mandaue City, Cebu

SUBJECT:  OBJECTION TO APPLICATION OF OFFSHORE MINING EXPLORATION

Dear Mr. de Dios:

Thank you for referring the application for offshore mining exploration of Daytona Mining and Development Corporation. The mining areas being targeted for exploration are classified as fishing and tourism zones and provide jobs, food, ecological services, recreation and tourism opportunities that play critical roles not only in our municipality’s economy, but benefits our  country`s  comprehensive policy on environmental protection where all local governments are obliged in all measures to consistently apply RA 8550 where we are mandated to safeguard the health of the marine environment, and  prevent, reduce, and control of its pollution and degradation.  Siaton has currently three Marine Protected Areas and shall continue to establish more as our coasts are lined with coral reefs that make these ideal for conservation.   We have also learned that offshore mining of magnetite in Cagayan has increased the area´s vulnerability to floods as magnetite holds the sand together. The absence of magnetite in the sand can deplete the coastal and near-shore areas as now being experienced in La Union.

Though Pres. Arroyo  “harmonized”  conflicting laws that contradict the Mining Act in 2004, we believe that we still have to follow international laws that protect our coasts from further degradation by industrial and commercial activities onshore and offshore that affect habitat loss, rising sea levels, ocean acidification that lead to climate change.  The value of our marine resources is not a trade-off between the economy and the environment, and we need to ensure accountability for all of our actions affecting ocean, coasts, and marine resources.  Our coastal resources therefore require protection as we have a stewardship responsibility for the benefit of this and future generations.

We hope that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources review existing environmental policies to ensure integration and collaboration across jurisdictional lines in meeting the objectives of our regional governance structures, and national and international policies for our oceans and coasts that we can employ an integrated and comprehensive ecosystem-based approach that addresses conservation and sustainable use of our country`s very precious coral reefs. For such reasons, we strongly object to all offshore mining explorations in our municipality.

Very truly yours,

Gena Dayon