THE BAGUIO Regreening Movement is set to call on the city council to return the “No Mining in Baguio City” provision of the environment code to assure the non-proliferation of small scale mining in and around the city.
BRM chairman Erdolfo Balajadia in the weekly “Talakayan sa Environment Code” stressed the need of restoring such section will ensure the safety of the community against illegal small scale mining.
"When the environment code was being crafted, it was a provision of this environment code that mining should not be allowed in the city because Baguio is a highly urbanized city, but it was endangered of not being approved because some members of the city council at that time objected. So in order to save the environment code, we had to agree to remove this provision," Balajadia explained.
In an earlier forum, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Cordillera regional Director Fae Apil explained the need for a possible regulation of those wanting to engage in mining in the city if it were to be approved.
"That is precisely the fact that we do not see the erosions, cutting of trees, people going under houses because these are not regulated whereas if they are regulated, they would have to give their mining plans, environmental protection plans, for government to come in anytime and monitor their operations if they really follow this portion of the environment code," said Apil.
Although MGB recognizes the local government will not adhere to the re-establishment of the mining portion of the environment code but called on the city to be vigilant and assure there are no mining activities happening within the territorial boundary of the city.
"We have a move in our meeting on June 13, to request, and even demand from the city council to restore this provision that was removed," Balajadia added.