Bulacan governor warns vs. violating mining ban

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando on Friday reiterated that the temporary ban on mining activities in the province remains in place, blasting those who continue to destroy the environment for money.

Fernando led his constituents in giving final honors to the five rescuers who perished while on a rescue mission at the height of Typhoon Karding last week.

“Panahon na upang pangalagaan at isalba ang ating kalikasan. That’s why by means of an executive order, hindi po muna tayo magpapa-quarrying at magpapa-mining ngayon,” Fernando said in his speech during the tribute for the fallen rescue members.

"Sa mga illegal na aktibidad sa ating lalawigan, hindi ko po ito papayagan.  Subalit may mga matitigas pa rin ang ulo kumita lang ng pera, hindi baleng wasakin ang Inang kalikasan. Pasensya po kayo, alam kong lahat kailangan ng pera, pero tandaan natin, man cannot live by bread alone. ... Tigilan na natin ang sobrang paninira ng ating Inang kalikasan," he added.

Fernando issued Executive Order No. 21 on August 26 mandating the "temporary suspension of all mining permits, quarrying, dredging, desilting and other type of mineral extractive operations within Bulacan."

The governor said the temporary ban was put in place "following the constant deterioration of roads caused by overloading of transport vehicles whether its volume is land minerals or other commodities."

Fernando also said there was over-mining in the province.

Violators of the EO shall pay a fine of P5,000 per violation and imprisonment of not less than six months but not exceeding a year.  The permits of the firms involved will also be revoked.

Heroes

The rescuers who all hail from Bulacan —George Agustin, 45; Marvy Bartolome, 36; Narciso Calayag Jr., 33; Troy Justin Agustin, 30; and Jerson Resureccion — were hailed as heroes for their service.

“Huwag natin hayaang maraming buhay na mawala bago tayo magising, bago tayo matuto, bago tayo kumilos. Dakilain natin ang pagbubuwis ng buhay ng ating limang bayani sa pamamagitan ng pagyakap sa tunay na kalagayan ng ating kalikasan,” Fernando said.

“Bilang punong lalawigan, ang aking pagpupugay at pakikiramay sa ating mga yumaong kasama sa paglilingkod ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad. Tungkulin ko pong sikaping suklian ang sakripisyo bilang sumuong sa panganib tungo sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

Fernando called on the public to protect the environment, saying that the impact of the typhoon on the province could have been worse without the Sierra Madre mountain range.

"Kung sira ang Sierra Madre malamang pumasok nang todo ang bagyo sa Bulacan. Magpasalamat tayo sa kabundukan ng Sierra Madre sapagkat sinagip tayo ng kabundukang 'yan," he said.—LDF, GMA News