DENR Execs inspect Cagayan river
Envi Chief orders suspension of FCF’s tree cutting, closure of SSM in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region II to temporarily suspend the tree-cutting activities of FCF Minerals Corporation’s Gold- Molybdenum Project in Brgy. Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya.
He also ordered the Bureau to close down all small-scale mining activities in hazard prone areas in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya where 10 casualties were reported due to the fatal landslide incident in the area brought by the heavy downpour of Typhoon Ulysses.
Cimatu further recommends to identify possible Minahang Bayan areas for displaced small-scale miners to a safer place to ensure their safety and to prevent another tragic incident.
“Identify an area that is safe for them and for the environment,” Cimatu cited.
He also asked the MGB Regional Chief Engr. Mario A. Ancheta to install signages in hazard prone areas for the awareness of the people in the community. – Lyndee Rose Basilio
MGB: Runruno landslide tragedy is not result of mining
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- A team of geologists and technical personnel from Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region II conducted a site inspection at the recent landslide areas that claimed the lives of 10 individuals including a two-months old baby and injured two others which is brought by the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses on Nov.11.
DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn C. Bambalan and MGB Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta led the inspection at sitios Bit-ang and Kinalabasa in Brgy. Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya on Nov. 18 which are within the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) area of the Gold-Molybdenum Project of FCF Minerals Corporation.
According to MGB Regional Director, based on the result of the geohazard assessment, sitios Bit-ang, Balcony, Compound, and Kinalabasa are highly or critically susceptible to natural hazards and residents are recommended for relocation.
On September 2018, MGB conducted a geohazard assessment and result showed that sitio Bit-Ang is highly susceptible to hazard being highly critical to flooding and landslide. “The result of the assessment was presented to the community including the residents of sitio Bit-ang, Compound, Balcony, and Kinalabasa,” the MGB regional chief said.
Director Ancheta said that regardless of the mining activity, the areas have very high susceptibility to landslide.
Based on the recent assessment of the area, “the fatal landside was triggered by the inclement weather conditions resulting to ground saturation and eventual landslide and not due to small scale mining activity as earlier reported, “Director Ancheta said.
He added, “evacuation of the illegal settlers within the landslide prone areas should be strictly implemented.”
Director Ancheta also reported that despite the compensation offered by FCF, some families refused to vacate as they are not satisfied to the amount that the company offers.
The MGB geohazard study recommends for evacuation of the illegal dwellers and settlers as the area has very high susceptibility to natural hazards. – Lyndee Rose S. Basilio
DENR, MGB inspect landslide areas in Nueva Vizcaya