DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 22 January) — Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has recommended the permanent closure of the mining operations of the Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corp./Arc Nickel Resources, Inc. (RCMC/ANRI) for allegedly polluting the Mapagba and Pintatagan Rivers in Banaybanay town.
In his letter addressed to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu last January 20, Dayanghirang recommended the “cancellation of the mining permit of RCMC/ANRI, do not allow RCMC/ANRI to resume its mining operations” and urged him to order the “permanent closure of the mining area concerned.”
A heavy downpour last January 13 caused the siltation ponds of RCMC/ANRI to overflow, causing discoloration and siltation to nearby Mapagba and Pintatagan Rivers.
The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental announced on January 17, that Mines and Geosciences Bureau undersecretary Atty. Wilfredo Moncano directed its regional office here to release an immediate stoppage order “to give way to a joint detailed investigation to find out the causes and the means to mitigate the damages.”
Dayanghirang said his technical personnel found out that siltation ponds were not wide and deep enough, causing the discolored water discharges to overflow while some portions of discharges were not directed to the catchment ponds.
He noted that the environmental and mitigating measures and preparedness of the company to address the unforeseen events are not enough.
“This blatant disregard of the company to its environmental protection and enhancement commitments had caused immeasurable environmental damages, should be given corrective measures by your office and address the subject environmental violations,” he said.
In a press release, newly-appointed Mindanao Development Authority secretary Maria Belen Sunga Acosta assured facilitation and coordination of assistance for the affected communities after conducting aerial and ground visits.
She said the MinDA would pool efforts with other agencies to ensure “responsive assistance, including food and alternative sources of income.”
“We leave the thorough assessment to the concerned agencies, but meanwhile we work on ensuring assistance reaches the community,” Acosta added. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)