Yet another report of continued mining shipments worry island locals, this time in Semirara, Antique where Chinese vessels were said to be transporting coal despite the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in the province.
According to the president of the environmental group Save Antique Movement Bong Sanchez, three vessels have been spotted in the past week since Apr. 11. on the island where Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is stationed.
In an interview with Inquirer, Sanchez said, “People including employees of the mining company are concerned about the presence of Chinese crew members but they are afraid to speak out for fear of earning the ire of the mining company.”
Locals are especially alarmed because four SMPC workers have already tested positive for COVID-19 and continued operations of the mines may put the entire island community’s health in danger.
SMPC, however, assured residents that all their operations including the docking of foreign vessels are following COVID-19 protocols set in place.
“To limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we complied with the stringent regulations of the Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Customs,” the company said in a statement sent to Inquirer.
[READ: DENR allows Panamanian vessel in Homonhon, Samar despite lockdown, residents’ appeals]
Last week, in a similar issue in Homonhon Island Eastern Samar, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ruled in favor of the resumption of operations of a chrome mine, citing that such cargos are to be allowed based on Department of Trade and Industry memorandum approved by Pres. Duterte dated Mar. 20, which “guarantees the unhampered movement of all cargoes and transit of personnel of business establishments allowed to operate during the quarantine period.”
Antique Rep. Loren Legarda said her office will push for the investigation of these shipments, especially because she believes export of coal should not be essential at the time.
“So why the need for Chinese vessels? This important question begs for an answer. The welfare of my people is paramount,” Legarda said.
Meanwhile, stationed Coast Guard in Antique said that the vessels are not, in fact, from China. Based on their monitoring, it appears some of the ships came from Hong Kong and Manila.
Header photo courtesy of Bong Sanchez/Save Antique Movement
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