DAVAO CITY – Environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) is urging the local government of Banaybanay in Davao Oriental and concerned agencies to take into consideration the adverse impact of large-scale mining operations following the reported “siltation and discoloration" the rivers last week.
While they welcome the temporary suspension of mining operations, IDIS executive director Atty. Mark Peñalver said they are wary that the incident could happen since the closure is just temporary.
“Hence, should there be lapses in the implementation of their corrective or mitigation measures, we will expect the same incident in the future. In the first place, this should not have happened had the company strictly observed the provisions of their ECC or had they conducted a genuine EIA,” he pointed out.
On January 17, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region-11 has issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO), Notice of Violation (NOV) and a show cause today to Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corporation and Arc Nickel Resources, Inc. (ANRI) in the coastal town of Banaybanay.
“The potential source of siltation and discoloration along said rivers was attributed to the active mining activity of the said company- that's based on the initial investigation and assessment of DENR-XI’s Composite Team from DENR-XI Regional Office, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-XI), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-XI) and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Lupon that was conducted last January 15,” read the statement of DENR Davao Region which was posted on their Facebook account.
DENR Davao Region blamed heavy rains for more than 12 hours that resulted to the discoloration of Mapagba and Pinatatagan Rivers in Banaybanay January 13.
It added that the heavy and continuous rain last January 13 to 14 caused the silt pond to overflow and drained towards the rivers.
DENR Davao Region chief Bagani Fidel Evasco said their legal team is also evaluating further action with regards to any of the violations as he assured that there will be a strict implementation of the environmental laws against the erring mining firm.
On January 14, Banaybanay residents, especially those living along the affected rivers, posted on social media photos of the rusty colored-rivers that drains towards the Davao Gulf.
As the photos went viral, residents expressed opposition on the mining operations in the coastal town, fearing of the adverse impact on environment and livelihood.
“We've seen how devastating the effects of mining in the area and how the community opposes the said activity. We hope that the concerned agencies take this into consideration in conducting their investigation and stop this disastrous activity to operate and put the lives of the people and the environment in danger,” said Peñalver reacting to the viral photos of affected rivers.