Malacañang said there is no evidence that mining operations in Surigao del Norte caused the reported water supply shortage in Surigao City, based on current monitoring by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there is no mining activity inside the Parang-Parang Watershed, where the alleged environmental impact was reported.
She added that authorities had not recorded any watershed damage in Surigao del Norte that was proven to have resulted from mining activities.
“Walang ebidensiyang nagpapatunay na ang nararanasang kakulangan sa supply ng tubig sa Surigao City ay dulot ng anumang mining operation sa Surigao del Norte,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing last Tuesday, July 21.
She said the finding was based on current records and environmental monitoring by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office No. 13.
Castro also cited DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna as saying the department had received no confirmed reports of abuses against watersheds resulting from mining operations.
The Palace nevertheless emphasized that Section 19(f) of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, prohibits mineral agreements inside proclaimed watershed forest reserves.
“Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagpasok ng mineral agreements sa loob ng mga proclaimed watershed forest reserves,” Castro said.
The restriction also covers old-growth or virgin forests, wilderness areas, mangrove forests, mossy forests, national parks, provincial and municipal forests, parks, greenbelts, game refuges, bird sanctuaries, and areas protected under the National Integrated Protected Areas System.
Castro said the DENR remains open to receiving evidence of alleged environmental violations so the matter can be investigated.
She added, however, that the department’s current records and monitoring data do not show the kind of abuse alleged in relation to the Surigao City water shortage.
The Palace statement came in response to a question alleging that mining activities had severely affected water supply in Surigao del Norte, particularly in Surigao City.
Will additional evidence or continued monitoring change the government’s assessment of the reported water shortage?
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