POCKET MINERS RESPECT CITY GOVERNMENT ACTION

September 13, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Local pocket miners through their representative expressed their intention not to argue the initial actions by the city government for the eventual closure of their small scale mining operations in Barangays Camp 7 (Kennon Road) and in Kias as a result of the recent assessment conducted by the City Mining Regulatory Board technical working group It was learned that representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Cordillera and leaders of small scale mining associations joined in the conduct of said assessment on small- scale mining operations in the city.

The body’s TWG recommended the closure of mining operations of Emerald Small-scale Miners Association (Kias) and the Quilan Clan (Camp 7) due to various violations and encroachments to government and private properties. It was learned that more than 500 pocket miners will be affected in the closure. In contrast, Liza Bulayungan, City Social Welfare Officer ,in a text message,disclosed that based on the profiling that her office conducted, some 264 pocket miners will be affected, and services to be offered now the subject of discussion.

In an interview, Leoncio Na-oy, acting representative of small- scale miners in the City Mining Regulatory Board (CMRB) said their group will not argue on the measures taken by city government as a result of the latest assessment of small-scale mining operations in the city. “We respect the city’s assessment…it’s a reality, and we are not going to argue ,” said Na-oy, newly elected chairman of the National Coalition of Small-Scale Miners during the group recent national assembly held in San Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Norte.

Na-oy, who views more into finding solution on the decades-old problem, shared the sentiments of his group , appealed to the city government to slowly effect the closure in order for the affected pocket miners can look for an alternative livelihood as their group acknowledged the concerns of Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Regional Director Fay Apil of MGB-CAR. As to the plan to convert the SSM areas for tourism development , pocket miners are hopeful that said plan be inclusive to address the impact and displacement of pocket miners in the city.

Primo Agatep/ABN