A HOUSE probe on the alleged mining-related incidents in Itogon, Benguet and the City of Naga, Cebu is expected to be conducted within the month.
Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (2nd district, Cebu City), chairman of the House committee on natural resources, said the call for an investigation on the matter has the support of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“She’s supportive of that. We’re just waiting for the resolutions to come in and take this up in the committee and call for an investigation,” he told reporters yesterday.
Abellanosa said there are pending bills seeking to repeal the Philippine Mining Act.
There are also measures demanding restrictions in the requirements for utilizing mineral resources, especially on the rehabilitation of mining areas.
Last month, Abellanosa ordered a review of all pending and existing legislation concerning the impact of the mining industry on the environment following the two disasters.
As of last count, 77 have died in the City of Naga landslide while seven are still missing.
The landslide has also displaced 1,714 families, or 6,913 individuals, now housed in different shelters in the city. RTF