One of the illegal small-scale mining plants in Agusan Del Sur (Photo courtesy of DENR 13)
MANILA, Philippines – Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu announced on Monday, September 17, that the government is ordering a stoppage of all small-scale mining operations in the entire Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
This, after a massive landslide killed a number of miners and their families in Barangay Ucab in the municipality of Itogon during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.
Retrieval operation for the bodies of landslide victims in Itogon, Benguet
The stoppage order includes members of the small-scale mining industry with permits from the local government.
The military and police were tasked to implement the order.
“We ask our small miners to cooperate and stop all small-scale mining activities here. The DENR will be sending men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to effect the stoppage of all mining activities especially here in Itogon,” Secretary Cimatu ordered.
On Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte again expressed his determination to bring open-pit mining in the country into a complete stop under his administration.
“So the underlying peripheral communities are always in danger. And anywhere you see, basta iyang open-pit mining,…Mining must stop. And if I cannot stop it during my time as President, nobody can. Because it’s a big business and the pressure is just too great,” the President said.
Following the order, the government assured that affected workers and miners will be provided with the necessary assistance. Since most miners are from Ifugao, the government is encouraging them to return to their respective hometowns or to relocate.
“Mayroon tayong cash for work galing po sa DOLE, galing po sa DSWD. Pagkatapos po ay i-a-activate ang TESDA for alternative livelihood tapos po diyan at ang recommendation na bumalik nga po sa Ifugao,” concluded Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Rosalie Coz)
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