AN OFFICIAL of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) has vowed to intensify the campaign against illegal mining operators following reports that miners have resumed their operations in the city’s hinterland villages.
Clenro Chief Edwin Dael said they received information that around 10 to 15 percent of mining operations have resumed, again endangering the health of the Iponan River.
The Clenro and other concerned groups cited the increased turbidity of the Iponan and Cagayan rivers which may be due to mining.
"Naa gibalik nga mga gamina katong mga isog kaayo. They are taking advantage kung mag ulan. Magtuo ta nga ang lubog sa tubig tungod sa ulan but nabantayan namo nga naa info nga gabalik na sad sila,"Dael said.
Dael said the extensive campaign and raids against illegal miners initiated by Clenro and law enforcers over the past months had weakened the mining operations in the city.
"Kanang mga gabalik karon mao na sila kanang mga isog kaayo ug gahi og ulo. Ginapabuthan man gani mi the last time sa among operation," Dael said.
It can be recalled that miners at Barangay Tuburan, Cagayan de Oro city, shot at a team composed of Clenro personnel and law enforcers who were going after illegal mining operators last December, 2015.
Dael posed possibilities that miners are back in their operation to raise funds for the supposed barangay elections.
"Among duda pud kay naay nag-ingon nga kung madayon ang election posible gamiton kini nga fund raising kung ugaling madayon ang barangay election," Dael said.
But Dael said they will continue their mandate to free the city from illegal mining which causes destruction to the environment.
He said Clenro is strengthening their intensive monitoring and regular raids against illegal miners.