4 mining firms applied for 'Minahan ng Bayan'

THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Davao Region said four mining firms applied for small-scale mining contracts in the "Minahan ng Bayan" in the region.

Speaking before Tuesday's mining forum organized by Jaycees, MGB regional director Edilberto Arreza said there are around 10 small-scale mining areas or "Minahan ng Bayan" in Davao Region.

Among the areas declared as "Minahan ng Bayan" are Diat, Biasan, and Boringot in Pantukan, Compostella Valley; Dinagsaan, Banay-Banay in Davao Oriental; Gupitan and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.

Around 10,000 small-scale miners are accounted for in Mindanao.

For his part, Sanny Bangcayao, president of the a small scale mining group Lower Sumayag, said they applied for a small-scale mining contract, but their application with the MGB-Davao Region was not given attention.

"Ang among applications wala naatiman (Our applications were not followed up)," he said.

He also expressed opposition to the operations of the large-scale mining companies.

"Ma-disturb lang me. Naa naa me bago na sila niabot (We're here before they arrived)," he said.

Dr. Jean Lindo, third nominee of Kalikasan party-list, said the effects mining operations have caused to the environment and to miners as well is way higher compared to the benefit it gives.

Around 300 environmentalists, pro-mining and anti-mining sectors participated in the Forum on Responsible Mining at the Grand Men Seng Hotel on Tuesday.