Considering the benefits and development programs arranged for the community of Palaw’an natives, the group’s “Panlima” or leaders announced their full support to the mining operation of Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC) after processing its application for Certification Precondition (CP).
Among the opportunities seen by the Panlimas to carry out their plans are the projects under the Community Royalty Development Program (CRDP) of mining companies that are strictly implemented and regulated under the government’s mandate.
Recently, the majority of native Palaw’ans in Barangays Aribungos, Barong-Barong, Ipilan, Mambalot, Maasin, and Calasaguen, Brooke’s Point, Palawan expressed their vote in favor of INC’s operations.
“Suportado namin ang operasyon ng Ipilan Nickel dahil maraming benepisyo ang hatid ng kanilang operasyon, hindi lang sa amin kundi sa mga mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point. Unang-una na sa trabaho pa lang na hatid ng kumpanya sa mga kasamahan naming katutubo at ang MPSA ay paraan upang maprotektahan ang aming ancestral domain laban sa mga squatters dahil nababantayan ng kumpanya ang aming lupain,” said Julhadi C. Titte, president of the Ipilan Mambalot Maasin Palawan Council Inc. (Impact).
(We support Ipilan Nickel’s operation because it would benefit us and the citizens of Brooke's Point as well. Primarily, with the job opportunities that the company brings to our indigenous colleagues; also, the MPSA is a way to protect our ancestral domain against squatters because the company guards our land)
“Sa tulong ng royalty share mula sa kumpanya ay maaring maisakatuparan namin ang aming mga proyektong pang edukasyon, pangkabuhayan, at pangkalusugan para sa ikauunlad at ikabubuti ng aming komunidad,” Julhadi added.
(Through the help of the royalty share from the company, we can carry out our educational, economic, and health projects for the development and betterment of our community)
Besides this, Julhadi believes that INC will stay true to its word about fulfilling its obligations in upholding responsible mining.
“Hindi naman maiwasan na may pangamba ang iba naming kasamahan kaya’t hindi pa naitala ang kanilang suporta. Pero kami ay tiwala sa mga batas para maprotektahan ang kalikasan. Huwag na tayo lumayo, ‘yung Rio Tuba Nickel, wala namang naitala na pagkasira ng kalikasan o basakan sa ilang dekada na ng kanilang operasyon. Malaki ang naitulong nito sa mga mamayanan ng Palawan. So, tiwala rin kami sa Ipilan Nickel at nakita namin na sinusunod nila ang utos ng batas upang maprotektahan ang kalikasan at ang aming mga basakan at pangisdaan,” said Julhadi.
(It is understandable that some of our colleagues still have doubt, that’s why they haven’t yet signed in their support. But we trust the laws dedicated to protecting nature. Let's not even go far – the Rio Tuba Nickel – there has been no recorded destruction of nature or wetlands in the several decades of its operation. It has greatly helped the people of Palawan. That’s why we also trust Ipilan Nickel, and we can see that they follow the law to protect nature and our wetlands and fisheries)
Due to the generous support shown to INC by Palawan natives and citizens of Brooke's Point, the company will be able to continue with its projects and programs for the town’s sustainable development, along with the implementation and promotion of responsible mining. (PR)