MGB orders refilling of treasure hunters’ tunnel

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - The Bureau of Mines and Geosciences (MGB) in Cordillera Region has ordered the refilling of an excavated tunnel to avoid further damages to neighboring houses.

MGB–Cordillera investigation said the digging activity at the three–storey abandoned residential house of Rose Dulnuan in Km. 6, Betag “is not intended for mining but for treasure hunting or deep well.”

With this finding, the MGB said it is not under its vested functions to act on the matter because the treasure hunting is under the National Museum’s function to investigate while the deep well is under the National Water Resources Board.

Engr. Roland Aquino, chief of the MGB - Monitoring and Technical Services, said they directed the Dulnuan family to do immediate backfilling of the excavation to avoid further damages to neighboring houses. The team recommended concrete mixed backfilling.

Rose Dulnuan earlier said to MGB that the digging activity was previously intended for treasure hunting but in the process, they discovered a water source which changed their plan into a deep well for water delivery business.

Based on the investigation, the cracks on the neighboring houses and a new building in front of Dulnuan’s house were caused by the diggings done in their residences (underneath).

Around four houses were damaged with several cracks and sinking grounds while one new huge building in front of the Dulnuan’s house was also damaged with walls on the upper floors being destroyed by cracks.