BAGUIO CITY – If he can have his way, Sorsogon Governor and now Senatorial candidate Chiz Escudero wants the local government to have a say in the mining industry to ensure the environment would not be damaged.
Escudero, an independent senatorial candidate who was in this famous mountain hideaway last Sunday to campaign, said he favors small-scale mining because it helps more people, unlike the large open-pit mining which is more destructive and does not benefit the community.
Escudero said he does not allow open-pit mining in Sorsogon precisely because of the destruction it would wreck on the environment.
“In the province of Sorsogon, I did not allow open-pit mining and if there is anything possible, it is small scale mining to better help our countrymen,” said Escudero during a press conference here, stressing the operation of mining should be done with the consent of the concerned local government units.
“But in the end it is one of the powers that should be given to the local government, not just the DENR must decide, the LGU must consent and the community must consent to where any mining will take place, especially the large mines,” explained Escudero.
Mining is one of the most lucrative businesses in the Philippines owing to the country’s probable rich mineral deposits. However, the issuance of permits to operate mining as well as its regulation is done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Escudero said there is a law that allows the operation of small-scale mining provided it is approved by the local government and it does not damage the environment.
It can be recalled that the temporary stoppage of small-scale mining industry in Cordillera left tens of thousands of miners who rely on camote mining without their primary source of livelihood.
In September 2018, Secretary Roy Cimatu of DENR ordered the temporary stoppage of small-scale mining activities in the region following the tragic landslide incident in Level 070, Ucab that resulted to the untimely demise of more than 100 pocket miners who sought refuge in a bunkhouse of the Benguet Corporation at the height of Typhoon Ompong.