Amid concern of residents
TACLOBAN CITY — Giporlos Mayor Gilbert Go has assured residents that no mining operations are currently taking place in the municipality, as he urged the public to disregard what he described as misinformation circulating on social media about alleged mining activities in the town.
Go issued the clarification after Altimas Ventures (AVI) Inc. presented an exploration permit covering parts of Giporlos and neighboring Balangiga, Eastern Samar, prompting concerns among residents about possible mining operations in the area.
“There is still no mining operation in our municipality,” Go said in a public statement issued on Sunday, July 19, explaining that the permit issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) only authorizes the company to conduct mineral exploration to determine whether mineral resources are present.
The MGB granted AVI an Exploration Permit covering 902.9877 hectares in Giporlos and Balangiga. Approved on June 22, 2026, the permit gives the company the exclusive right to explore for chromite and associated minerals for an initial period of two years, renewable for up to six years.
The permit, however, does not authorize commercial extraction or mining operations.
Go said the public should not immediately equate the issuance of an exploration permit with the start of mining activities.
He acknowledged the concerns raised following the company’s presentation of its exploration permit on July 7, saying the local government remains committed to protecting the lives, livelihoods, safety, and environment of Giporlos residents.
He added that any future proposal to develop an actual mining project would still have to undergo various legal and regulatory requirements, including environmental compliance, consultations with affected communities, and other safeguards required under Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
The mayor also explained that the local government does not have the authority to prohibit mineral exploration because the issuance of exploration permits is under the jurisdiction of national government agencies.
However, he said the municipal government would continue to protect the interests of its residents and would not allow activities that could harm the people, environment, and future of Giporlos.
“I will not allow anything that will endanger our people, our environment, and the future of Giporlos,” Go said.
The MGB said the exploration permit covers two separate parcels of land. The application for the project was initially filed with the MGB regional office on February 2, 2011.
Go urged residents to remain calm and obtain information only from official and verified sources. He also assured the public that consultations and other avenues would be available for the community to express its views should the company pursue further development of the project.
Under the Mining Act, mineral exploration and commercial mining are separate stages. An exploration permit allows a company to search for and assess possible mineral deposits, while any move toward commercial mining requires additional approvals and compliance with environmental, legal, and social requirements.
ROEL T. AMAZONA
