Misamis Oriental declares one-year moratorium on mining | Sun.Star.

By Michael Andrew W. Yu
February 21, 2012

THE Misamis Oriental Provincial Board approved on Monday a resolution declaring a one-year moratorium on the conduct of small-scale mining operations in Opol town and the issuance of new endorsements for mining applications throughout the province.

Vice Governor Norris C. Babiera, who authored the resolution, said the unimaginable havoc brought by Tropical Storm Sendong in December now calls for more aggressive and pro-active actions from the local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations.

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Babiera said the proliferation of small-scale mining operations, particularly in the hinterlands of Opol in Misamis Oriental and along Iponan River in Cagayan de Oro, has raised very serious concerns in various joint fora and multi-sector geo-hazard and risk assessments.

He said it is important to consider declaring a moratorium on small-scale mining operations in the area and issue new endorsements for those who will be applying for small-scale mining to prevent further destruction to the environment.

“It is the thrust of the province of Misamis Oriental to protect and conserve its environment, not only for the greater good of the majority of the present generation but also to reassure the existence of the same natural resources to adequately satisfy the need of the future generation,” Babiera said.

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