Benguet Corp., DENR liable for deaths in Itogon landslide

Benguet Corporation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should be held liable for the deaths of at least 20 small-scale miners and 57 others missing in Itogon, Benguet due to a landslide caused by typhoon Ompong, an expert on ecology and the environment said Wednesday.

Gerry Arances, executive director at the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), noted that the DENR is in possession of documents showing that Benguet Corporation still does business with small-scale miners.

“May accountability ang Benguet Mining Corporation because there are documents of reports on the ground na ‘yung kumpanya ay may kasunduan with small-scale miners. Binebenta nila ‘yung mga nakukuha nila sa Benguet Corporation. That is why this incident should be further investigated. Naipasara na po ito sa dating desisyon ni DENR Secretary Gina Lopez,” Arances said in a Balitanghali interview.

Seventy-five mining contracts in watershed areas were canceled in 2017 by then-Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Gina Lopez.

Prior to that move, she ordered the closure of 23 mining operations that included Benguet Corporation.

Apparently, Lopez’s orders were not carried out after the mining companies made an appeal before the Office of the President.

Lopez eventually lost her post since the Commission on Appointments—the panel of lawmakers screening presidential appointees—rejected her tough position on the mining industry and ultimately, her appointment in May 2017.

Since then, Lopez has been replaced by former military man Roy Cimatu.

“Kaya mayroon pong responsibilidad rito ang DENR kasi sila dapat ang nag-iimplement ng batas. Matagal na dapat nirehabilitate ‘yan ng Benguet Corporation. Ten years ago pa dapat. Ano pang hinihintay ng DENR? Isang disaster na naman? Loss of life? Nagdesisyon na si dating Secretary Lopez. Bakit pinabayaan at inupuan ng current administration ng DENR?” Arances noted.

GMA News Online has contacted the department, but has yet to get a response regarding their position on this matter.

Benguet Corporation has denied any liability over the incident, saying that they do not sanction small-scale mining in the area.

In its filing before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the mining firm also maintained that they do not allow illegal mining in landslide-prone areas.

An independent and non-governmental think-tank, CEED provides relevant data and information regarding issues pertaining to energy, integrity of ecosystems, and the general development path pursued by the country. It envisions a respects for the integrity and preservation of the environment and ecology. —Llanesca Panti/VDS, GMA News