TVIRD tackles mining issues in Dipolog open forum

Presents Social Commitment Initiatives to Zambo del Norte government and non-government representatives

Dipolog City — As part of the company’s commitment to openness, officials of TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) recently participated in the first-ever mining forum held in the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Norte, host of TVIRD’s Canatuan Project. The officials fielded questions from both pro- and anti-mining advocates during the no-holds-barred open forum designed to help clarify issues and concerns regarding Mining as an engine of economic development for Mindanao, as well as the company’s operations in Siocon municipality. Dubbed “Responsible Mining Through Sustainable Development and Local Governance”, the forum was attended by over 100 local officials led by Vice Governor Francis Olvis, as well as by representatives of socio-civic organizations and business groups from all over the province. The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) and officials of the Subanon indigenous community in Canatuan also participated in the forum, jointly organized by the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Government and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 9.

TVIRD — represented by Eugene Mateo, president; Yulo Perez, Canatuan General Manager; and Rocky Dimaculangan, Public Affairs director – welcomed the event as an opportunity to encourage public participation in policy development for the mining industry, as well as to promote the company’s sustainable development programs in Canatuan.

A text message from Siocon Mayor Ceasar Soriano, who was not able to attend due to inclement weather, served as a high point during the forum: “Please relay to the participants our appreciation of TVIRD’s compliance with environment safety standards,” said Soriano in his message, read to the body by Perez. “We have seen how they work and true enough, we did not imagine the reforms and programs (they) initiated. We enjoin all sectors not to be complacent in our monitoring efforts, and support responsible mining activities that could help our communities. TVIRD’s good performance is unexpected. They deserve to be supported.”

But the most contentious topic during the discussions was that on the Provincial Government share on excise and corporate income taxes, among others, which Zamboanga del Norte officials contend should be paid directly to the Provincial Government and not to the National Government as required by law.

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 directs mining companies to remit payments for local business tax, real property tax, registration fees, occupation fees, and other local taxes to the host local government units. These are the smaller amounts of tax payments paid by industrial operations such as mining. However, tax remittances for the big ticket items – for corporate income tax, customs duties and fees, value added tax, documentary stamp tax, capital gains tax, interest payment tax, dividends tax, and excise tax – are paid to the National Government.

“For now, we have to follow the law that is in place,” Dimaculangan said. In the interim, however, we may consider helping the local government – through the assistance of the Chamber of Mines – work out with the Bureau of Internal Revenue the expeditious release of the local government share in taxes that the company has remitted to the National Government.”

Nelia Halcon, Chamber of Mines executive vice president, called on the local executives and legislators to rally behind the passage of House Bill 1444, authored by Congressmen Mauricio Domogan and Samuel Dangwa, which would allow private firms engaged in the utilization and development of natural resources to pay 40% of taxes currently being remitted by these companies to the National Government directly to the host local government unit.

For his part, MGB-9 Regional Director Constancio Paye, Jr. presented a paper on the “Salient Features of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995: Giving Emphasis to Responsible Mining for Sustainable Development. Bonifacio Patoh, chairman of TVI Canatuan’s host Barangay Tabayo, on the other hand, discussed “The Role of and Benefits for Indigenous People/Communities in Mineral Lands.”

The Concerned Citizens for Responsible Mining (CCRM), a Zamboanga City-based group composed of members from the business, media, and academic sectors, considered the forum a “coup” as it successfully gathered key players with disparate views on mining issues. CCRM served as forum documenter, while members Priscilla Valmonte, Perla de Castro, and Dean Sisenando Baes, Jr. acted as facilitators.

At the sidelines, TVIRD President Eugene T. Mateo confers with Engr. Roland Soliva from REACT Space Group on environmental issues concerning the company’s Canatuan Project in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.