Halt orders for Itogon SSM on

ANOTHER stoppage order has been served for illegal Small-scale mining (SSM) activity in Lobo-ong barangay Poblacion in Itogon, Benguet.

Following a filed complaint received by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR) for on-going SSM activities by Mesio Dasi on the property of William

Galunza without permits or a contract.

MGB-CAR regional director Fay Apil requested the Itogon Municipal Police Station and the Technical Working Group of the Provincial Mining Regulatory BoardBenguet Province for an investigation and issuance of the stoppage order.

Itogon Chief of Police PCI Eugene Raymundo said the stoppage order was served with the complaint of the owner last week.

“It has been a long problem between both parties which have not been settled,” he added.

On March 10, 2010 an agreement was made as Dasi promised to stop any SSM in the premises. A validation on the ongoing SSM operation was made by Kagawad Francis Baengbeng, Nicanor Kipot and PNPPoblacion Compac.

Lawyers Isagani Calderon and Galunza in a letter addressed to the MGB-CAR said “It is regretful that even with his commitment to stop mining activities in the area, the illegal mining activities conducted by Mesio Dasi people never ceased and he has deceitfully disobeyed the direct orders from the Office of the Punong Barangay of Poblacion for him to stop illegal mining operations.”

Last month pocket mines at level 300 and 400 in Antamok were also asked to close their illegal activities.

SSM serve as the second source of livelihood in Benguet province which covers about 23,000 miners of 70 associations and cooperatives with more than half of the associations are in Itogon with an estimated 12,000 miners.

Benguet SSM President Lomino Kaniteng said the small-scale miners are willing to apply for the legalization of their operations with only 10 associations who were granted permit in Suyoc, Tuding, Tuba and Itogon before implementation of the executive order 79 implementing reforms in the Philippine mining sector.

Pursuant to the law Sec. 11 requires the small-scale mining operations be undertaken only within the declared People's SSM areas or Minahang Bayan.

Photo by Milo Brioso SAGADA. Local and International tourists flock to the hanging coffins in Sagada, Mounatn Porvince. The everyday influx of tourist is now more than the number of residents with a total of 13,000 in the municipality.