Ochoa: Heed laws to avoid ComVal-type landslides

Mining stakeholders must strictly adhere to environmental laws to avoid disasters like the fatal landslide in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, late last week, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Wednesday. The incident that took place Friday has left at least 13 people dead and a number of small-scale miners missing. “Environmental laws and regulations are there for a reason: to protect both the environment and the lives of those involved in mining operations. When these are violated, we endanger the environment, the lives of miners, as well as people who live in the surrounding areas," Ochoa explained. He added, “While we understand that small-scale mining can be profitable for some communities, our people must keep in mind that mining is regulated because it must be done properly to ensure the safety of miners and to mitigate its impact on the environment." In a report to Malacañang, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said small-scale miners had operated in Pantukan for the past 20 years in search of gold. He added that at least 1,000 small-scale mining activities had been taking place in the municipality. The site had already been identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in 2006 as highly susceptible to landslides, according to GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation." But after Friday’s landslide, miners and communist rebels have continued to resist a mining ban on areas in Compostela Valley. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/218710/mining-ban-in-comval-no-easy-task-police-say “Napakahirap kontrolin ang tao sa pag-mina. Sa tingin ng [Local Government Units], kahit bigyan ng other source of living maliban sa mina, babalik ang tao sa pag-mimina kasi napakadali ng pera sa pagmimina although napaka-destructive ng pag-mina," said Compostela Valley police chief Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino on Tuesday. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News