Illegal mining tunnels in Baguio, to be padlocked

April 8, 2018 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY – As the national government began its aggressive eradication of illegal mining activities in the country, the local government of Baguio has also intensified its crackdown against illegal miners in the city.
The Cordillera office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-CAR) in coordination with the local government will be sealing the alleged illegal mine tunnels located at Uabac and other areas of barangay Camp 7 to put a stop on the continuous operation of illegal small-scale mining in the said area.
This after police operatives are repeatedly catching illegal pocket miners in the act during their operations.
City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Evelyn G. Cayat informed Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan that based on the recent meeting of the City Mining Regulatory Board (CMRB), MGB-CAR officials agreed to seal the illegal mine tunnels in the area pursuant to the mandate of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu for the total eradication of illegal mining operations that resulted to the creation of the National Task Force Mining Challenge (NTFMC).
Cayat added personnel of the MGB-CAR and the City Engineering Office (CEO) already conducted an ocular inspection in the site to guide them in the preparation of the required program of work for the proposed sealing of the illegal small-scale mine tunnels that will put a stop on the operation of illegal mining in the said place.
She confirmed that despite the closure order issued by the local government to stop the illegal mining operations in Uabac, Camp 7, the illegal pocket miners continue to proliferate in the place that is why it was recommended by the MGB-CAR personnel that the tunnels will be permanently sealed to prevent the small-scale miners from repeatedly pursuing their illegal operations.
Mayor Domogan pointed out that the local government should not wait for Secretary Cimatu to again come to the city and personally blast the illegal mine tunnels in the place before coming out with a concrete action, thus, the need for concerned offices to be aggressive in stopping illegal mining operations in the city.
Earlier, the local government was able to padlock the illegal mine tunnels in Uabac upon the decision of the CMRB but pocket miners were able to resume their illegal mining activities after a temporary lull in their operation.
Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) City Director Senior Superintendent Ramil L. Saculles reported that police operatives were able to arrest a number of individuals allegedly involved in the illegal mining operations in the said place and were able to file the appropriate charges against them before the city prosecutor’s office. BAGUIO PIO / ABN