Degamo to fight illegal quarrying, mining

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has promised that his administration will run after those engaged in destructive mining activities, specifically small-scale mining, and illegal quarry operators without fear or favor.

The governor gave the assurance during the recent clergy meeting of the Diocese of Dumaguete where one of the priests had raised the issue on mining in the province.

Degamo said a review is in the offing to determine which small-scale mining activities in the province need to be stopped, if found destructive to the environment.

Under the law, the provincial government has the authority over small-scale mining and can cancel locally issued permits when warranted, he said.

On large scale mining, while the national government has jurisdiction over them, Degamo said his administration will still assert its right to protect the province from wanton destruction due to mining.

He disclosed that he will soon be creating a composite group specifically tasked to review the status of mining in the province and enforce laws.

Some of the group's members would come from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the provincial Environment and Natural Resources Division, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army.

During an interaction with the clergy, one of the priests noted that mining operators who failed to obtain a permit from the DENR-7 regional office in Cebu have secured such from the DENR-6 in Western Visayas to operate in Negros Oriental. (FREEMAN)