In a rare occasion for any provincial chief executive, Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy, Jr. gave a poignant address to the members of the Clergy of the Diocese of Mati during the Presbyterium Meeting earlier today, October 17, at the Clergy House, Mati City. Initiating the forum in the Spirit of Synodality aimed to foster dialogue between the government and the church, the Clergy invited the governor to talk about the Provincial Government’s projects and actions aimed at safeguarding the environment.
Governor Uy shared a comprehensive overview of the various initiatives undertaken by the Provincial Government to support and advance environmental protection and preservation in Davao Oriental. Among the key points he highlighted were the facilitation of the province’s solid waste management with the establishment of sanitary landfills across various locations in the province , the province’s commitment to using sustainable energy sources, citing example the 50-megawatt solar generation plant in Banaybanay, as well as his strict directive to ensure that all mining and sand and gravel entities operating in the province adhere to legal procedures and processes that safeguard the province’s natural resources.
Governor Uy further acknowledged the limitations of the provincial government’s authority in this matter. He noted that while the provincial government has always been active in its stance against any mining operation in the province, mining operators typically obtain the needed two endorsements to operate at the barangay and municipal/city levels even before reaching the provincial level. This situation underscores the complex interplay between the national, local, and provincial governance in regulating mining activities and hopes these procedures will be reformed.
During a question and answer session with the attending priests, Governor Uy was asked about his stand on the mining operations in the province. He emphasized that while there are already mining companies operating in the province, he remains steadfast in his belief that it would be in the best interest of the province if these operations are lessened or nonexistent. Governor Uy expressed that it never dawned on him to be in favor of any mining operation in Davao Oriental as there is just a very thin line separating such operations and environmental degradation. He also clarified that he has not endorsed any mining operation activity or project in the province since he assumed office at the Capitol.
It is worth noting that the late Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon shared Governor Uy’s views on mining. Like Governor Uy, she was also against mining and advocated for the preservation of the environment and the protection of the welfare of the residents. The late governor and the new governor’s stance on mining is a testament to their unwavering commitment to sustainable development and advocacy for responsible mining practices that prioritize the interests of the people and the environment. By Francis Jay Butulan | Photos by JB Rain
