A CLOSURE order issued in 2016 against small-scale mine sites in Loacan Antamok has finally taken effect.

Some 216 small scale miners last week halted operations at level 300 and level 400 of the mines in Itogon.

The pocket mines were closed and covered with cement after members of the Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners Association (Lipma) and Reavis Atamok Mining Association Inc. abandoned operations.

The implementation of the order was conducted by the Itogon Municipal Police Station, Benguet Corporation, barangay officials of Loacan and Lipma in coordination with the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which directed the closure of all tunnels within the area.

The Implementation of Administrative Oder No. 3 series of 2018 was signed by Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan directing the stoppage order No.01 series of 2016 as amended at the level 300 and 400.

In 2016, Palangdan issued the order for all small-scale mining operations in identified areas formerly operated by Benguet Corporation.

The order was issued several years after then Environment Secretary Lito Atienza declared a moratorium on all mining activities within the Antamok Mining Area until such time that all safety, health and environmental concerns have been resolved. The moratorium took effect on January 28, 2009.

Palangdan said this was never implemented by the DENR.

"The national government failed to execute the necessary implementation of that moratorium on mining whether small or big, also Benguet Corporation was stopped, but what is happening now Benguet Corporation is allowing them to mine the area," the mayor said.

"For us in the local government unit, however, not this time. If they will destroy environment and the national road, they should really be stopped," he added.

The continued operation of small-scale mining activities at levels 300 and 400 is most likely to cause irreparable damages that would aggravate the stability of the environment, hence the need for the immediate cessation of operations, said the mayor.

Aside from the environmental concerns, public order and safety are also being taken into consideration.

Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso has backed the implementation of the said stoppage order.

Palangdan urged the small-scale miners to cooperate most especially on the taxation and submit their gold to the central bank.

"Gold reserves are depleted. Small-scale miners no longer submit their gold because of the increase in payment of taxes," he said.