Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel the permit of the mining company RCMI/ANRI that reportedly caused the massive siltation in Mapagba and Pintatagan Rivers in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

In his letter addressed to DENR Chief Secretary Roy Cimatu, Governor Dayanghirang requested the agency to not allow the mining company to resume its operations as he seeks the permanent closure of the mining area.

He cited the violation of the company that left the rivers stained orange from nickel laterite following the heavy downpour last week.

“Based on the findings of my technical personnel, the 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. The company’s environmental mitigating measures and preparedness to address unforeseen events is not enough,” reads the letter.

The Governor added, “This blatant disregard of the company to its environmental protection and enhancement commitments had caused immeasurable environmental damages, should be given corrective measures.”

The letter was sent immediately following the Governor’s aerial inspection of the site on Thursday, January 20.

Meanwhile, the mining company, which has already ceased its operation on Monday through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) directive, has conducted massive desilting operations at the Mapagba River as part of its River clean-up. Aside from using heavy equipment, the company also resorted to manual desilting to remove suspended silts and sediments. The company has also conducted community service by giving food packs to the affected residents. It is also set to provide jobs for locals to work on the reforestation, rehabilitation, and repair works.

National agencies such as the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) have also stepped in to help the locals affected by the pollution.

Although mining companies have contributed immensely to the country’s income generation through tax revenues and providing jobs, the government and concerned groups say its environmental impacts outweigh any benefit.

“For a while, it may provide benefits in terms of income for the local and the national government. But our people and our environment will suffer the long-term effects of irresponsible mining. We can still manage without it. Environment protection and conservation should be prioritized above everything else,” says the Governor. KLD-PIO