The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered a review of all applications for Minahang Bayan following the fatal landslides that killed dozens of small-scale miners in Itogon, Benguet.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said he ordered the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to validate all applications to see if they comply with standards that ensure the safety of small-scale miners.
Cimatu noted the review is aimed at avoiding a repeat of the tragic incident in Itogon.
“We will be stricter in approving Minahang Bayan sites, and affirm whether they conform to standards that are safe, especially for the miners,” he said in a statement.
He also ordered the MGB to ensure small-scale miners are provided with safe shelters far from identified geohazard areas.
The directive comes following the confirmation of the MGB Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) that 10 small-scale mining associations had been granted temporary mining contracts in Itogon.
After the confirmed deaths of dozens of miners, Cimatu ordered the stoppage of all small-scale mining operations in CAR, revoking all temporary mining contracts effective immediately.
The Executive Ordre (EO) 79 issued in 2012 made the granting of temporary contracts possible. One of the provisions of the EO is to allow small-scale mining activities within declared Minahang Bayan.
The DENR chief said on Monday he would request the military and police to help stop all mining activities in the Cordilleras.
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