Semirara Island

Semirara is an island in the Philippines located at in the Caluya archipelago which is situated south of Mindoro Island. It is under the jurisdiction of the town of Caluya of the province of Antique.[3] It is a major site of coal mining in the Philippines. Other economic activities in the island include fishing, seashell gathering, and farming.[3]

"Semirara" redirects here. For the mining company, see Semirara Mining and Power Corporation.
Semirara Island
Composite satellite image of Semirara in 2020
Geography
LocationTablas Strait
Coordinates12°03′22.6″N 121°23′07.1″E
ArchipelagoCaluya
Area55 km2 (21 sq mi)[1]
Administration
ProvinceAntique
MunicipalityCaluya
BarangaysAlegria
Semirara
Tinogbok
Largest settlementSemirara (pop. 12,434)
Demographics
Population17,488 (2015)[2]

History

The island was declared a mineral reservation by President Manuel Quezon in 1940 through Proclamation No. 649.[4] Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SPMC) opened its first coal mine in the island in Unong in 1984[5] which operated until 2000 and the area's vegetation and lake restored years later. The company then opened several more mines including the Panian Pit which operated until in October 2016 shortly after its coal deposits depleted.[6] SPMC also opened the Narra Pit and the Molave Pit in Semirara Island, both which started commercial operations in the same year.[6][7]

Administration

Semirara Island is part of the municipality of Caluya of the province of Antique. The island itself consists of three barangays of Caluya; Alegria, Semirara, and Tinogbok.[3]

Geography

Semirara is an island which has a land area of about 55 square kilometers (21 sq mi).[1] The island also has a saltwater lake in its southeastern portion, which was the former site of the Unong mine. A freshwater lake also exists north of the island where the Panian mine used to be.[8]

Coal mining

There are two active coal mines operated by the Semirara Mining and Power Corp as of January 2020; the Narra Pit and the Molave Pit, both of which are 400 hectares (990 acres) each.[6] Coal in Semirara is characterized as sub-bituminous C coal with a high moisture content based on ASTM.[9]

List of coal mines
  • Narra Pit (2016–)
  • Molave Pit (2016–)
  • Panian Pit (1999–2016)
  • Unong Pit (1984–2000)

Transportation

Semirara has an airstrip which serves chartered flights from Manila. The island is also accessible by boat, specifically from the town of San Jose in neighboring province of Occidental Mindoro. Motorized tricycles also provides a means of land transportation within the island.[10]

Environment

Semirara is host to 21 mangrove species which accounts for 60 percent of the total of 35 recorded mangrove species in the Philippines. Waste produced as a byproduct of coal mining in Semirara has been a concern by residents.[11] Waters adjacent to Semirara also host all recorded giant clam species in the Philippines.[1]

The Semirara Marine Hatchery Laboratory was set up in 2010 by SPMC in the island as the marine rehabilitation arm of the company as well as to develop marine-based livelihood for its host communities.[1]

References
  1. Gonzales, Iris (30 April 2017). "Unexpected treasures at Semirara". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  2. Census of Population (2020). Table B - Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City, and Municipality - By Region. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. Burgos, Nestor Jr. (22 February 2013). "After disaster, Semirara life redefined". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  4. Burgos, Nestor Jr. (14 October 2019). "Review Antique islands' mining status, DENR asked". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  5. Inquirer, Philippine Daily (15 February 2013). "In the know: Semirara Mining Corp". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  6. Rivera, Danessa (18 January 2020). "Semirara to expand coal mine area in Antique". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  7. "Minutes of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of Semirara Mining And Power Corporation" (PDF). Semirara Mining And Power Corporation. 2 May 2017. p. 3. Retrieved 28 March 2021. ...the Board of Investments approved the registration of Narra and Molave mine projects with full ITH incentives. Both new mines achieved commercial operation last October 2016.
  8. Domingo, Ronnel W. (8 August 2017). "Panian mine rehab efforts on track". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  9. "The Current Status of Coal Mining" (PDF). JICA: 59–60. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. "EIS Summary For The Public Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project" (PDF). Environmental Management Bureau. p. ES-2. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  11. "Semirara folk score pollution of coastal resources". GMA News. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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