Gov’t orders stoppage of operations of 3 mining groups in Agusan del Sur town

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, July 30 (PNA) – To protect the water supply in the watershed area, the local government unit (LGU) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday ordered the total stoppage of mining and quarrying operation by the three mining groups at Mount Magdiwata’s 1,658 hectares watershed area.

To further preserve and protect Mount Magdiwata from illegal miners and timber poachers, the Agusan del Sur Sustainable Development Council (ADSSDC) on Wednesday also directed San Francisco DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Gingging Buiser to act as focal person of the Mount Magdiwata Task Force.

Along with the LGU led by San Francisco Mayor Jenny de Asis, the Mount Magdiwata Task Force will be composed of representatives from the religious sector, barangay leaders and other concerned government agencies.

Mount Magdiwata, surrounded by the villages of Alegria, Caraos, San Isidro, Bayugan ll, Oromaca and Mati, is the source of potable drinking water to more than 70,000 inhabitants in this progressive town.

Creation of the Mount Magdiwata Task Force was proposed in view of the alleged illegal mining operations and timber poaching in the area.

“I was directed to organize this task force and this organizational set up will be tackled in next week’s meeting,” said CENR Officer Buiser.

During investigation by the San Francisco CENRO, Environment management Bureau (EMB), Mines Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB), San Francisco Water District and other concerned government agencies, it found out that three mining groups allegedly conducting small-scale mining operations in the area.

Thus, based on memorandum of MGB Regional Director Alilio Ensomo, Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza issued the cease and desist order (CDO) of illegal mining operations of the Diwata Bunrosa Sectoral Tribal Council (DIBUSTRICO). Accordingly, the tribal council is operating within their 20 hectares ancestral lands.

Based on separate memorandum issued by the Director Ensomo, Agusan del Sur DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) and ADSSDC chair Sixto C. Badua also ordered CENR Officer Buiser to serve the CDO to Tagleong Gravel Quarry operation allegedly located at Manag-as creek, Barangay Alegria of this same town.

On the other hand, the EastCoast Mining immediately voluntarily dismantled its mining operation at the Mount Magdiwata watershed area.

Meanwhile, a meeting on August 2, this year is set to address the fate of the Magdiwata mountain particularly along the perimeter of the declared watershed area by then President Fidel Ramos.

The meeting, which is being participated in by all concerned government agencies including Army and police, is called by San Francisco Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Lerriza V. De leon, committee chairs on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environment Protection, Peace and Order.

DENR Region 13 Regional Executive Director (RED) Edilberto S. Buiser on Wednesday ordered all concerned field officials to actively participate in the meeting in an effort to protect the Mount Magdiwata watershed area. (PNA)
LAP/MUC/utb