DENR halts small-scale mining in Cordillera

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered the immediate halt of all small-scale mining activities in the entire Cordillera Administrative Region following the massive landslides in Itogon town which resulted in the death of dozens of people.

Cimatu made the announcement during Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s Palace press briefing at the provincial capitol here Monday morning after reporting that many have already died in the landslides in Itogon while many were still missing.

“In view of this current situation in the Cordillera, to prevent further danger to the lives of our small-scale miners, I officially order cease and desist of all illegal small-scale mining operations in the whole of Cordillera Administrative Region,” Cimatu said.

“At present, there are existing applications for Minahang Bayan in some areas of the region. While we await the approval and proclamation of these applications, we ask our small-scale miners to cooperate and stop all small-scale mining activities here,” he added.

According to Cimatu, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be sending men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police effect the stoppage of all mining activities in the region, especially in Itogon.

When asked to clarify if only illegal small-scale mining will be halted, Cimatu said there are no legal mining operations in the region.

However, he was corrected by Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Director Fay Apil that there are 10 associations who have temporary permits to hold mining activities in the region.

“When E.O. 79 was issued, it said there that those who are in possession of small-scale mining permits, will be given temporary small-scale mining contracts until their areas are declared as Minahang Bayan,” she said.

Cimatu, in turn, said he will be revoking the permits of the 10 associations also.

“OK, by virtue of what happened, I am revoking those permits effective today,” he said.

However, Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan appealed that there should first be a technical conference before the DENR closes small-scale mining sites, saying there are small-scale miners who are following the law but are unable to secure permits because of provisions under the Small-Scale Mining Act.

“There are small-scale miners that are following the laws, only the fact that they could not get license or permit because of the provisions under our Small-Scale Mining Act that you cannot apply for a permit if that big mining company will not issue you a permit. That should be amended in Congress,” he said.

“We should have first a technical conference to determine the areas that are dangerous and should be stopped, and not to stop all the mining operation of small-scale. Because if you will visit the area, talagang meron pong pwede na pagtatrabahuan ng mga tao na hindi po delikado sa area (there really areas which are not dangerous for our miners),” he added.

Cimatu said he will consider the mayor’s proposal. However, he said he will still order the closure of all small-scale mining sites for now.

“We are closing all small-scale now. Then of course, I will respect your request na mag technical conference muna tayo (to first hold a technical conference), we’ll do that later. ‘Pag usapan na natin kung nandiyan sila (Let’s talk about that with the stakeholders),” he said.

“But ito na, may nangyari na, hindi naman natin pwede i-ignore ito dahil marami ring buhay ito na namatay (But this already happened and we can’t ignore it because a lot died already),” he added.

Meanwhile, Cimatu said he will be more strict with the establishment of Minahang Bayans in the region, noting that miners would have to comply with the laws.

“This time, I will be more strict in the location of the Minahang Bayan because dapat naman kasama diyan sa mga conditions diyan ay ang mga titirhan dapat ng mga minero ay hindi dapat sila prone ng mga ganito mangyari. Wake up call dito eh, ‘yung nangyari diyan (there should be a safe place for miners to live in),” he said.

“They will be required to pay the taxes, they will be required to observe the regulation in mining, sanitation… So these are the conditions na no way ka talagang magmina kung hindi mo macomply ito (which you have to comply with or else you cannot mine),” he added.

Roque, meanwhile, listed down how the government can help those who will be affected by Cimatu’s order on small-scale mining in the CAR.

“Meron tayong cash for work galing sa DOLE, galing sa DSWD. Pagkatapos po diyan i-activate ang TESDA for alternative livelihood (We have cash for work from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. After that, we will activate the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for alternative livelihood),” he said.

“Meron din tayong mga field offices ng DA (We also have Department of Agriculture field offices) and I’m sure later on you might hear it from the President himself that he is tasking them to assist these individuals in pursuing alternative livelihood,” he added.

Roque said he will also tap the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to hold the “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” job fair in the CAR as more manpower is needed for the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo, meanwhile, said they are looking to boost the region’s weaving industry to help those affected by Cimatu’s order and by the typhoon.