THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is getting the flack for the sinking in Aurora, Poblacion in Mankayan.

Reacting over a recent statement of the MGB, which said that sinking was due to a fault line and not underground mining, Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) deputy secretary general Santos Mero accused the bureau of speaking for Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation (LCMC).

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Instead of the MGB conducting an investigation into the real cause of the sinking, it instead took Lepanto's side, Mero lamented.

The bureau also undermined the former miner's capabilities of determining the exact cause of the sinking. While admitting there are fault lines in the area, Mero reiterated the sinking was triggered by Lepanto's underground blasting activities.

"Let us not belittle the victims and the miners," Mero said. He said MGB and other concerned agencies should initiate an investigation of the issue.

Unless proper attention is given, Mero predicts disaster is waiting to happen.

The CPA earlier hired the services of an expert on mining engineering. In a recent presentation, Engineer Vergel Aniceto said tunnels that have not been properly backfilled resulted to the caving in of soil and other structures above the ground. The MGB, meanwhile, refuted this, saying the fault lines caused the sinking.

Years ago, residents have been advised to relocate as they were warned the ground might subside as time passes by. (Rimaliza Opiña)