Mayor halts fishing in Benguet town

ITOGON, Benguet – The village chief of this town recently ordered the people to stop fishing and other activities near bodies of water affected by the recent spillage of Philex’s tailings pond.

Mayor Oscar Camantiles cautioned the people to stop fishing activities until the concerned agencies confirm the safety of the river.

The Municipal Government appealed to the community during the second round site inspection of the spillage in Pengbasan, Dalupirip, Itogon on September 9.

Camantiles also orders the clean up drive activity along the Balog creek be halted too. The clean–up drive was an initiative of Philex Mining Corporation that hired several residents to do the task.

The laborers requested they be allowed to continue with their work provided they will avoid the hazardous areas.

Residents asked for an immediate settlement of the damages caused by the spillage of the Philex’s mine.

Camantiles assured the residents they will inform Philex Corporation for its immediate action. He advised the community to cooperate and participate in the assessment and monitoring of the matter in order to gain solutions to the residents’ concerns.

He also advised the community to formalize their complaints and needs with a written document. He urged the residents to participate in any discussions called in order to come up with a holistic response on their concerns and needs.