Capitol to probe SERI mining for environmental violations

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government of Cebu is looking at possible environmental violations committed by the SKI Energy Resources Inc. mining operations in Barangay Dunga, Danao City which caved in last Saturday resulting in the death of a miner.

Although the mining operation is under the Department of Energy, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office head Czareem Estella said they can also look into it if there is environmental violation.

“Kung dunay environmental violations, pwede mi mosulod ana,” Estella said.

With regards to the safety of the workers, Estella said that it is provided for under the conditions of the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We will try to check but not interfere sa mga ahensiya nga dunay jurisdiction to implement the law,” Estella added.

DOE-7 director Antonio Labios, during his meeting with Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday, assured to expedite their investigation.

The DOE-7 has implemented the full suspension of all of SERI’s mining operations in Dunga following the incident.

“Gipahunong ang operation pending completion of the investigation,” Labios told reporters.

The DOE-7 investigators are expected to summon the owners of the mining firm. Labios promised to complete the investigation within the week.

 Meanwhile, Davide said that the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office have already attended to the needs of the victims.

Some of the injured miners are still confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.  (FREEMAN)