Miners volunteer for search, rescue operations in Negros Oriental

Friday, February 10, 2012

THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) are coordinating a 49-member team of miners to conduct search, rescue and retrieval operations on earthquake-induced landslide incidents in various parts of Negros Oriental, including Sitio Moog, Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City and La Libertad.

MGB-Central Visayas Regional Director Loreto Alburo said the mines bureau and PMSEA have a Pusong Minero advocacy program on the prevention, preparedness and emergency response to natural and man-made emergencies in support to the national government’s disaster and coordination program.

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The team has been conducting search, rescue and retrieval efforts in coordination with various institutions.

He said Carmen Copper Corporation sent an 18-member search and rescue team; Apex Mining Corporation and Philex Mining Corporation have eight and 12 rescue members, respectively, while the Philippine Saga Mining Corporation sent an 11-member response team.

The PMSEA also sent a water purifier, water tank and plastic bottles for purified water distribution.

Alburo said the PMSEA is an organization of mining companies, quarries, cement plants, suppliers, service contractors, professional organizations and government agencies that advocate a national campaign for occupational safety, health and environmental hazards of mining and its related operations.

One of the projects of the association is the Safety Networking Action Program, which was launched in September 2003. (PIA)