Benguet rivers contaminated;cyanide, mercury traces found

By DEXTER A. SEE

TUBLAY, Benguet — A study conducted by the University of the Cordilleras showed seven river tributaries in Barangay Ambassador here are not safe for human use due to the presence of cyanide and mercury.

The results of the study on water safety at various areas indicated traces of mercury and cyanide which are toxic, extremely harmful chemicals.

Dr. Teresita Doctor of the biology department of UC’s College of Arts and Sciences said the contamination might have been caused by improper waste disposal, use of pesticides, and commercial fertilizers in vast agricultural lands in the area and mine tailings from the closed Sto Nino Mines in the barangay.

The rivers in Tublay are tributaries of the Amburayan River which flows to the lowland, particularly La Union and Ilocos Sur, before it empties in the South China Sea. The laboratory findings discovered contamination in the rivers at Kilometer 17, Labey Creek, Mamuyod A, Palso Upper, Patad-el B, Sto. Nino I, II, and III, Sapuan, and Tabeyo I. The same findings showed Nalseb, Olman Kuros, Central, Patad-el, Babaten, Aquique, Tabeyo, and Kilometer 16 have generally safe water sources.

Some of the water samples were considered non-genotoxic, while the others were found safe for watering ornamental plants, but not for cooking or drinking. The study stated that the contamination may not be visible in the short term, but this has long-lasting effects, especially in the health of the people living in the areas.

In a related development, Mayor Ruben Paoad said there were attempts by some mining companies to conduct exploration to re-open mines in different areas of the town, but said he is against any mining activity in the town because it adversely affects the environment and livelihood of the people.

He said based on the experience of mining communities in the province, it is obvious that the mining areas have not benefited economically from mining operations. Instead, Paoad said, these mining communities are now plagued by health and environmental problems. UC has committed to assist local communities through various initiatives under Project HELEN which stands for Health Environment, Livelihood, Education and Nurturance.

The university has selected Barangay Ambassador as its pilot area for Project HELEN which aims to assist the residents through various trainings and workshops on organic farming, barangay peace and order, local governance, proper waste segregation and disposal, and alternative livelihood or entrepreneurship.