The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) on Tuesday urged the government to implement quarantine rules on mining firms as some companies have allegedly committed quarantine violations in Luzon.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has to rethink its framework of environmental protection, adding that studies revealed that most of the viral diseases originated from animals and the wild, the group said as quoted in a report.
PMPI also protested against the mine-loading operation of a Chinese-manned vessel on Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar while there is a prevailing general quarantine in the entire province.
According to PMPI, Semirara Mining and Power Corp. has also continued its operations when it docked to Semirara Island in Clauya Antique. This makes the community at risk of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The hauling allegedly continues despite the issuance of the Antique Provincial Executive Order 40-A, barring the use of its port for the transport of coal except for the “cement to be used by contractors for DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] projects only and medical equipment, medicines and other essential goods.”
Save Antique Movement member Bong Sanchez said the Department of Health has already confirmed persons who are positive for COVID-19 in the island. However, the LGU-Caluya and the Provincial Government of Antique failed to bar the entry of SMPC vessels in the name of “energy security.”
“These actions are a clear subversion of the local government’s will and violation of the peoples’ right to health,” Sanchez added.
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