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Sunday, May 25, 2003
Aid sought to repair mining damages to homes
By Ramon Dacawi
BENGUET -- Even as a decade has passed after Benguet Corp. (BC) closed down its open-pit gold mine in Antamok, the effects of the mining operations still continue to bother the residents.
Residents of Upper Tram, Ucab barangay reiterated their appeal to the rehabilitation committee of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau in Cordillera for financial support in repairing their houses, which they said were damaged when the ground subsided from the operations.
They said some 50 households were affected by the massive blasting during the mining. Some houses bore cracks on walls and floors, while others are already tilting.
The petitioners reminded BC of an earlier agreement that has been forged with affected communities. The agreement calls for BC to provide funding assistance for whatever damages its mining operations may cause to properties and the environment.
"We strongly feel that such fund applies to our specific conditions," the residents said.
Most of the residents said they have been living in Upper Tram for more than 30 years and that they never experienced any ground subsidence before the open-pit mine was introduced.
MGB Regional Director Neoman dela Cruz forwarded the residents' plea to BC officials for comment on the issue, however its mines environmental protection officer said they are still in the process of gathering data and information on the alleged claims."
Meanwhile, tribal leaders of Barangays Virac and Poblacion also appealed to the mining firm to comply with the recommendation of the MGB on the proper disposal of its mine waste and tailings from its underground operations at the Balatoc site.
They likewise asked BC to clear three diversion tunnels along the Ambalanga river, which had not been dredged for years now to avoid flooding and damages to houses and properties along the river during the coming rainy season. Sun.Star Baguio
(May 25, 2003 issue)
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