Conflicting issues affecting citizens and environment

ONE of the most talked about issues is concerning the closure of a number of mines as ordered by DENR Secretary Regina Lopez because of the destruction of the environment by these mining companies.

She was accused of not making a more thorough study of the issue in all aspects. She should know that these mining companies have been given permission to establish and operate their mines by the law on mining established in partnership between a Filiplno and foreign on a 40/60 partnership deal. They were issued the Environment Compliance Certicate (ECC) and the Environment Assesment on its integrity. Exclusive zones in mining activities are designated and given permit. The decision of the Secretary has this as an example: The closure of 21 mines in Zambales, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao provinces and the suspension of seven other mining companies for destroying forests and mountains, watersheds, and polluting rivers.

She is supported by pro environment protection groups here. But established mining companies permitted by law to establish their mines following the bilateral agreements as to the safety features of mines are ready to face the DENR secretary in court.

These will not progress with a wise decision because it is clear that the functioning mines have not followed the safety rules in running their mining company. It is apparent that the pollution of the environment and infrastructures in the mines as attested by the waters contaminated by the tail ends of the mines wastes and flattened mountains and lost forest lands cannot be accepted by the DENR.

I researched on the known safety measures of mining companies after exhausting the by-products of their active functioning period before abandoning their mines. There are safety measures already being done in other countries . They rehabilitate the equipments, the polluted waters are treated to remove the impurities. One good measure is the greening of the deforested areas. It costs a lot of expenses to accomplish this but it should be done. The DENR Secretary should demand this to have a win-win result of her campaign to cure the ills of abandoned mining sites in our country.

The 6.9 intensity earthquake hit Surigao City bringing unimaginable havoc in the city. It was horrible as every Filipino viewed it over the trimedia. Buildings like schools, government offices, hospitals, malls , hotels, and homes were damaged. Airport landing runway was cracked and its reinforcement bars twisted. What strength would make this possible.

Roads, bridges, high rise buildings left in disarray, eight died and more than 200 wounded. Huge fissures in the grounds where the fault is located are gaping proofs is the earthquake’s strength.

Positive lessons learned from this calamity should be remembered. Unselfish aid and succor from countrymen were given. DSWD and private donors sent in to assist in rehabilitating the community. Whole conferences on debriefing victims of the calamity to heal them psychological and physiologically by experts were done. In an earthquake the focus is where the earthquake starts all around is the periphery where the earthquake is felt at different intensities from lowest to highest. In this earthquake intensity 1 was felt in Davao. Digos City experienced intensity 4.5 which is strong.

It pays to know the major fault path from north to south of the Philippines. Remember we are inside the “Ring of Fire” in the world map of earthquakes path. The Phivolcs had warned us that we should all be ready for “the Great One” when it happens in Metro Manila. This is a simple sketch of the fault lines. Major Valley System in Metro Manila- 10 kms E valley; 106kms West Marikina Valley fault system. East include Rizal; west include Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna. Marikina Valley Fault includes Montalban, San Mateo, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Muntinglupa, San Pedro, Binan, Carmona, Santa Rosa, Tagaytay, Oriental Mindoro. West Luzon sea, Mindoro Strait, Panay Gulf, Sulu sea; Eastern Sulu Sea and Celebes sea. Center Philippine Fault include entire Ilocos Norte , Aurora, Quezon, Masbate, Eastern and southern Leyte; Agusan del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Davao del Norte.

Marikina Valley Fault will pass Eastwood, Rockwell, Ortigas Center, Bonifacio Global City, Ayala Center, Alabang. The trenches are located in South China Sea and at right side is the Pacific Ocean. Where do you live? Know the fault affecting your place. Forewarned is forearmed remember that. For comments text cp. no.09202112534.