DENR audits mining firms in 2 Surigao provinces
“We are looking at their operations and their impact to the environment,” she told MindaNews on Tuesday.
Lopez said these provinces are beautiful but some portions have become ugly because of the mining operations.[]
“I know talagang kawawa ang Surigao at sayang na sayang kasi maganda,” she pointed out.
Lopez said the audit will be concluded this week.
Sought for comment, former Surigao City Councilor Edgar Canda said Lopez should stop immediately the operations of mining companies in Surigao.
“They never helped the people of Surigao,” he said. Canda pointed out that aside from destroying the environment, the mining industry could be blamed for the proliferation of illegal drugs, like shabu, in the area as its use has become rampant among heavy equipment operators.[]
Canda said the mining firms must pay the damage wrought to the environment. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)
