Gov. Plaza tells miners to secure permits

Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza

AGUSAN DEL SUR -– Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza recently dared the illegal small-scale miners to submit the complete requirements to the Provincial Mines and Regulatory Board in order for them to secure permits to make the mining operations in the People’s Small Scale Mining area legitimate.

Gov. Plaza conveyed his sincerity to help miners get permits in accordance with the law in order for them to continue their livelihood and sustain their daily needs during the Small-Scale Mining Forum held at the municipal training center in Rosario, Agusan del Sur. Gov. Plaza also underscores the importance of protecting the environment and maintaining peace and order in the area.

Prior to the forum, the Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Development Unit (NRMSDU) of the provincial government conducted an inventory of all the mining industry in the province and their findings are alarming.

Daisy Sasil, chief of NRMSDU said that many small-scale mining operations in Rosario are illegal and the facilities used were sub-standard. She added that siltation and pollution in water channels in the area due to solid mining wastes and chemicals used are also evident. Sasil also said that some small-scale miners need trainings on proper mining operations for their own safety.

Speaking before the group of miners, Gov. Plaza advised the miners to practice responsible mining because the government as well as the miners have obligations to protect the people from contamination and the environment for degredation.

“If damage is done to the environment and the people in the community where mining is affected due to mining operations, the central office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will surely order the closure of all mining operations in Rosario,” Gov. Plaza said.

Gov. Plaza added that he wanted the mining industry to continue but miners must follow rules and processes. He encouraged the miners to prepare the required documents for submission to the PMRB. To date, there is only one group of small-scale miners who have applied permit to PMRB. (Jose Jemuel B. Dael PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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