The local officials of Antique province called out the national government to order a temporary suspension of operations to the Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC) in the northern part of the province, where four workers have already tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We are appealing. We want to avoid the spread of COVID-19,” Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao told Manila Bulletin.
Cadiao said she was appealing after Mayor Rigil Kent Lim of Caluya town, where Semirara mine is situated, has reportedly been having a hard time reaching national government officials to report his concern over the COVID-19 situation in the island.
The governor added that Antique Representative Loren Legarda has backed the call to temporarily stop coal mining operations.
Cadiao explained that the province of Antique as well as the Caluya local government do not have enough resources if the COVID-19 situation worsens.
“If operations cannot be completely halted, SMPC should limit the movement of its workers to avoid infecting the rest of the people living on the island,” Cadiao said.
The province recorded its first case last April 7, with a 74-year old man who flew to Semirara via private plane last March.
On April 17, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that three new COVID-19 cases had a close contact with the 74-year old man.
Meanwhile, SMPC has provided an isolation facility. However, the local government of Caluya was still requesting for a detailed contingency measure.
“We requested for its immediate remedial plans to contain [COVID-19],” said Lim
The Caluya government has released funding for food assistance to those affected by the community quarantine.
Caluya local government also added that it was the Department of Energy that has authority in allowing foreign-flagged vessels to dock at Semirara.
The Caluya local government as early as January 2020 implemented its decision not to allow personnel of any foreign ship to disembark while loading coal supplies.
