By ERWIN MASCARIÑAS
Correspondent
MADRID, Surigao del Sur – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered an investigation into mining operations that have been blamed for the destructive impact of storm “Basyang” in the province last month.
The DENR would be looking into the mining operations along with civil society groups as a response to calls for a no-nonsense investigation amid allegations that massive mining operations aggravated the effects of the February storm, particularly in the badly hit towns of Cantilan and Carrascal.
In Feb. 17, former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag issued a pastoral letter, calling for an immediate and independent investigation into the floodings.
In a March 1 memorandum by Environment Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr., the DENR also ordered an action planning workshop and a multi-sectoral ocular site inspection to look into the issues and concerns arising from the deaths and destruction that occurred during the onslaught of Basyang.
The DENR would also closely work with civil society groups in looking into the extent of logging operations in the province, including mining activities of firms in their concession areas, said lawyer Michelle Angelica Go, DENR assistant secretary for field operations in Mindanao.
Go said, “A management conference of the DENR offices, including the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Environmental Management Bureau, must be held. The result of the investigation of several DENR offices would be presented and discussed.”
Go said she would supervise the management conference as well as lead the conduct of an inspection in the next few days.
“I asked all the Cenros to give me a list and profile of the areas [affected by] illegal logging and destructive mining. There are 82 illegal logging areas of concern, and 42 illegal mining areas of concern in Mindanao. I think this is incomplete and can be completed with the help of stakeholders and concerned citizens,” said Go.
The Rev. Fr. Frank Olvis, director of the Social Action Center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tandag, expressed his optimism and hope that the investigation would have a positive outcome.
“We fear that the tragic deaths and destruction caused by the flashfloods and landslides have something to do with the mining operations. That is why the pastoral letter requesting an investigation was very significant. Hopefully, with the aid of the national and regional offices of the DENR, we will be able to get to the truth, thus, giving justice to those who suffered and the affected communities,” said Orbiz.
An initial inspection was scheduled over the weekend and another one has been set on Wednesday up to Friday in Cantilan and Carrascal towns.
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