DAVAO CITY – An environmental group here has expressed elation over the decision of South Cotabato governor Reynaldo Tamayo to veto a Provincial Board’s resolution lifting a ban on open-pit mining.

The environmental group Interface Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) said the governor’s rejection of the board’s resolution lifting a ban on open-pit mining was the fruit of their insistent call not to allow environmental destruction.

"Proud to be a part of the thousands of people who went out and braved the scorching heat of the sun to call for the veto of the ordinance amending the environment code of South Cotabato," said lawyer Mark Peñalver, executive director of IDIS, in his social media post.

However, Peñalver said they have to maintain their vigilance since the Provincial Board can still override the governor’s veto.

"This is not yet the end. Uphold the ban," said Peñalver.

In rejecting the board resolution, Tamayo said he is hoping that the outgoing members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will no longer override his decision and let the next council review it.

The governor explained that he junked the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining for being prejudicial to the public welfare and inimical to the overall interest of the province.

"Time and time again, it is always stressed that the province's holistic development is anchored first and foremost on its people," governor Tamayo said.

Tamayo said he could not see any compelling reason that a decade-old ordinance to ban open-pit mining needed to be amended since this protects the residents and the environment from any destruction.