The Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO-Cor) reminded the police force to remain vigilant and intensify operations against illegal small-scale mining activities per Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s stoppage order.
According to a report, PRO-Cor. Regional Director Police Brigadier General Ephraim Israel Dickson stated that the Cordillera police force, in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), should strengthen the campaign against all illegal small-scale mining operations that are still being done.
MGB-CAR Mine Management Division Chief Engineer Alfredo Generiano reported that there is only one legal small scale mine in the region that is yet to operate. Other small-scale mining operations are illegal. However, amid issues, Generiano still expressed his gratitude on CAR cops and agencies who continue monitoring the operations in the region.
The Benguet Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) had also approved and gave a permit to the Minahang Bayan applied by the Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners Association (LIPMA) in Loacan, Itogon. However, the firm is yet to operate since they have not yet secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
