Safety assured in mining areas

MINING companies in Itogon, Benguet have asked the local government unit to resume operations.

Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan on Friday, November 6, lifted his order imposing a stop of mining operations in the town.

He said the lifting of the order stemmed after three mining firms assured necessary protocols in working areas in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among workers and their household.

Palangdan said the mining companies asked for reconsideration to continue their operations as employees depend on this for livelihood.

The mayor added the mining companies in the town assured the conduct of mining operations without further transmission of Covid-19 and safety measures in place.

"I told them if we weigh the economy and health, health should be heavier, but they told they can control the operation of their mines. They are assuring us that they can conduct mining operations without further transmission of Covid-19 because they have place safety measures to avoid transmission in their mining area," he added.

Palangdan earlier met with representatives from Itogon Suyoc Resources Inc. (SRI), Philex Mines, and Benguet Corporation during the joint Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Municipal Police and Order Council.

He said the executive order on November 4 aims to contain Covid-19 transmission in their respective working area but companies guaranteed they will contain and are implementing safety measures.

On November 4, the mayor, through Executive Order 20 series of 2020, ordered the immediate stop of all mining operations and activities within the municipality.

In the order, Palangdan ordered Benguet Corp., ISRI, Philex, and other mining companies and corporations operating within Itogon to immediately stop their operations.

Palangdan added the stoppage was a result of the surge of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the municipality, particularly in Barangays Virac, Poblacion, and Ampucao where the mine companies are located.

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