'No mining, illegal logging in Arayat'

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga , Philippines  – The mayor of Arayat town denied the existence of any mining and illegal logging activities at the foot of Mt. Arayat.

Mayor Luis Espino was reacting to claims that mining and illegal logging caused the mudslide that buried alive 12 villagers, eight of them children, at the height of tropical storm “Ondoy” last Saturday.

He said there are no such illegal activities in Barangay San Juan Banyo, as the community is considered a protective area.

The barangay is within the Arayat National Park, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Espino said.

Before the mudslide took place, residents said they heard a thunderous sound coming from the mountain.

The municipal government is now finding a safer place to relocate the displaced villagers.

Last Sunday, President Arroyo visited the families of the mudslide victims, giving P10,000 to each of them, aside from the P5,000 each got from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro also visited the victims’ families the following day and extended additional assistance to them.