By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
Northern Dispatch

TUBLAY, Benguet – A proponent of a copper processing plant here decided to pull out their installed equipment from the area because of the municipality’s firm opposition to the project.

As of press time, the installed facilities for a copper ore processing plant in Suyoc subvillage, Caponga village of this town have been totally pulled out.

“It died a natural death,” Caponga village chieftain Edward Cosalan said, adding that proponents Merry Ann Francisco and David Luo knew that they would not be granted a Mayor’s permit.

Cosalan added that the proponents have applied in Tuba and their facilities would be transferred in there.

Earlier, Nordis reported stated that the proponents installed facilities and constructed tailings ponds without following due process. The municipal local government unit opposed the project.

The area where the project is located was declared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as highly susceptible to landslides and is a dangerous place to build infrastructures.

Councilor Marvin Mayos said the municipal council is happy that the proponents voluntarily withdrew their project. Mayos said that any project that would threaten the security of the people and the environment would not be allowed by the local government.

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