DENR-7 Commends Bohol mine

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 is commending a mining company in Bohol found to be practicing responsible mining for 32 years now.

In a visit to the municipality of Garcia-Hernandez the other day where members of the media were toured at the Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Bohol Mine and Bohol Limestone Corporation, DENR officials praised the firm for practicing safety in mining with the proper operations from tools to systems and management.

The said mining company has been operating for 32 years already with an approved area of 640 hectares covering barangays East Poblacion, Manaba, Sampong and West Poblacion in Garcia-Hernandez.

Leonardo Sibbaluca, DENR-7 regional executive director, said that the company has adopted appropriate measures so as not to put the environment and the lives of community dwellers at risk.

The Bohol mine assured that they have dust control management and noise abatement measures, slope stabilization activities and reforestation program; and catch basins so as not to affect the sources and the quality of water there. Also, it has established a functional system in monitoring water quality.

Aside from operational costs, the firm spent almost P25 million in livelihood projects, infrastructure assistance and educational and medical programs from the year 2001 to 2008 to help the people living near the mine site, according to Victor Bantol, president of the mining company, and Paul Espina, resident manager.

Roger de Dios, regional director of the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences-7, said that commending mining companies is in line with the flagship program of the DENR to have a “healthy balance of regulations and industry initiative which means the integration of principles, practices, tools, systems and approaches in mining operations and active stakeholder participation in environment management.”

The media visit was also done by the department in order to “convey information on responsible mining for well-informed decisions by stakeholders to avoid speculations and recrimination on mining,” de Dios added. — AJ de la Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)