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TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | LMP MisOr backs campaign vs illegal mining
By: The Monitor Mindanao Today
OPOL, Misamis Oriental – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Misamis Oriental on Friday, July 11, expressed its support to Governor Juliette Uy’s move to legalize small-scale mining activities in upland villages here.
Newly-elected LMP Misamis Oriental Chapter President Jayfrancis Bago, the municipal mayor of Opol, in an interview with Cagayan de Oro-based RMN-DXCC, said unlawful extraction of gold in upland villages along Iponan River is not new.
Bago said illegal mining was already there when he assumed July of 2022 for his first term as local chief executive and what followed was twice-a-month operations — seizure of equipment that included backhoe, power-generators, motorcycles and other mining paraphernalia.
He specifically mentioned Barangay Cauyonan because a portion of the public elementary school campus already caved in because of uncontrolled diggings in search for gold pellets and dusts. A group of school teachers complained to his office, he said.
Two weeks ago, Governor Uy raised the issue of illegal mining and singled out Opol town and that such activity must be legalized through the granting of Small-Scale Mining Contract with under Republic Act No. 7076 (“Minahan Ng Bayan”) which the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issues.
Uy said small-scale miners must benefit, not only by those who provide them with backhoe and other mining equipment for extraction. They can be organized and recognized with legal papers by the MGB.
Bago said he received a report that there have been illegal mining activities in Barangay Limunda, the farthest village from the town center, situated and even more accessible via Manticao municipality.
Bago said he is supporting the governor’s proposal, something which he, about three years ago, suggested to the MGB in Northern Mindanao, but got no appropriate response. He said some of the seized equipment are still with the municipality.
Aside from Bago, the LMP Misamis Oriental Chapter officers are: Nadya Emano-Elipe of Tagoloan, vice president; Mercy Grace Aca-in of Initao, secretary; Charlie Buhisan of Magsaysay, treasurer; Dennis Roa of Naawan, auditor; and Emmanuel Jamis of Alubijid, public relations officer.
The Board of Director is composed of Redentor Jardin of Jasaan; Willie Lim of Lugait; Allan Mynard of Libertad; Stephen Tan of Manticao; and Candy Unabia of Balingoan.
Election of officers, among 23 members was held on Friday, July 11. [Uriel Quilinguing/MT]
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