The Department of Finance (DOF) urged the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to enforce stricter housing zoning rules near mining and quarrying areas to avoid potential accidents and ensure safety of residents.
DOF head Carlos Dominguez made the plea during the recent meeting of the interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC), saying the government should intensify its enforcement rules against residential areas in close proximities to areas where mining and quarrying operations are present.
This, Dominguez added in a report by Philstar.com, is to make sure no people lives in areas vulnerable to landslides and other geohazards suggesting this matter should be made a top priority in MICC’s 2019 agenda.
Local government unit executives who allowed their respective constituents to build their homes near mining areas might also be held accountable by DILG as suggested by Dominguez.
DOF Secretary Dominguez and DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu share the chairmanship of the MICC.
