DENR takes aim at illegal small-scale mines in CAR following Itogon landslide deaths

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Monday ordered a crackdown on illegal small-scale mining operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region following the landslide that buried a mining shelter in Itogon, Benguet at the height of Typhoon Ompong’s onslaught last Saturday.

At a press briefing in Benguet, Cimatu said the military and police will be tapped to implement the cease and desist order against illegal mines in the region.

"We ask small-scale miners to cooperate and stop all small-scale mining activities here," Cimatu said, adding affected miners will be moved out of dangerous areas.

Likewise, Cimatu revoked the temporary small-scale mining permits given to 10 associations.

At least 34 people died and several others were reported missing following the landslide due to heavy rains brought by Ompong, the world’s strongest storm so far this year.

Cimatu earlier issued Special Order No. 53 creating the National Task Force on Mining Challenge whose mandate is to ensure strict implementation of existing mining policies and regulations, as well as other related environmental laws.

The task force will also run after illegal importers, retailers and distributors of explosives and cyanide which are commonly used in small-scale mining operations, according a statement released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in February.

Following its creation, the task force cracked down on illegal small-scale mining activities within the vicinities of the Philippine Military Academy; Barangay Kias in Baguio City; and Camp 4 in Benguet which led to the closure of several adits and confiscation of mineral products, chemicals and several equipment used by small scale miners.

Cimatu said the task force would help the DENR and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in implementing not only mining rules, but also other environmental laws, such as those on pollution and illegal logging, which mining operations may have violated. — RSJ, GMA News