Itogon closes pocket mine
A CLOSURE order has been served by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Cordillera (MGB-CAR) for another small scale mining site in Sitio Bakong,Loakan, Itogon in Benguet.
One tunnel owned by Jerry Marcos was closed on August 31 by joint personnel of Itogon Municipal Police Station, Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ MGB together with barangay officials of Loakan.
Itogon Municipal Police Station head Chief Inspector Eugene Raymundo said the entrance of the adit was cemented while electrical supply was cut off.
The chief of police added the same area is outside the proposed Minahang Bayan application.
In addition, four small scale mining operations in Tuding also at Itogon last July were also shut down prior to complaints from residents.
Some 216 small scale miners terminated mining operations at level 300 and level 400 at Loacan Antamok, Itogon March this year.
Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan have previously cited the illegal activities to stop. The continuous operation of small scale mining activities is most likely to cause irreparable damages that would aggravate the stability of its surrounding environment hence the need to immediately cease SSM operations.
With the national joint task force concerning all illegal miners in the country, ceasing operations of illegal small scale mines is expected to continue.
Small scale mining (SSM) activities in Benguet remains illegal although there were permits issued by the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board with 12 temporary SSM contracts released in the province mostly in Itogon.
However, upon the issuance of Executive order 79 in July 6,2012 turn over operations of SSM must be within declared Peoples SSM area or Minahang Bayan.
A minahang bayan area has yet to be declared in the province with at least 10 sites eyed in the province.