DCMA conducts tree planting at Benguet Corp mining claim

August 19, 2019 Provincial

TUDING, Itogon – The Dalisay Camote Miners Association (DCMA) has planted over 200 pine trees as the small-scale mining group embarked on tree planting in line with the town’s environmental program.

The trees were planted inside the patented mining claim area of Benguet Corp in Sitio Dalisay, Barangay Gumatdang, Itogon.

DCMA and Benguet Corp in 1986 entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which allowed DCMA to conduct mining operation in the area, now the subject of Minahang Bayan (MB) applications.

DCMA president Melchor Dayag, affiliated with the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners, Inc. (BFSSM), said most of the trees were planted in areas affected by landslides.

Dayag added the tree planting activity, the second this year, aimed at growing thousands of trees under federation environmental management program, which is in consonance with the government’s current thrust for environmental protection.

Dozens of small-scale miners along with DCMA officials started cleaning the area for the tree planting activity as early as six o’clock on Monday, August 5, 2019 and before noon all the pine tree seedlings bought by the association were planted.

Other DCMA officials who participated in the tree planting activity were Rudy Gallema, Jordan Khayad, Reynaldo Papat-iw Robel Dampag. DCMA plans to acquire an area within the said barangay for setting up a nursery to sustain its tree planting activity.

Dayag said DCMA is committed to pursue the greening program not only to maintain the area’s environmental integrity but also as a way to promote sustainable livelihood especially for the pocket miners living in the area and the community as well.

Earlier, DCMA conducted a river clean-up in Pigan Creek, a waterway connected to the Ambalanga River.

Primo Agatep-ABN