Malacañang on Tuesday urged all local government units not to allow illegal mining operations, amid the rising death toll in the mining mishap in Compostela Valley. Four people were killed when a mining tunnel collapsed Saturday night.
“Government is determined to enforce safety rules and regulations in the mining industry and to prevent a recurrence of the reported incident in Compostela Valley,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement.
Coloma quoted Secretary Ramon Paje, secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as saying: “…We believe that Executive Order No. 79 is already strict. In fact, it mandated the issuance of the Small Scale Mining Guidelines/Minahang Bayan which has been passed by the Mining Industry Coordinating Council.”
“Unfortunately, most of the operations in the area, particularly in Sitio Uno, are mostly illegal. They are not covered by Minahang Bayan permits. Local Government Units should not allow their operations…,” Paje also said.
The four miners had been working in Australia Tunnel in Sitio Depot, Barangay Upper Ulip in Monkayo.
The three other fatalities earlier confirmed by the police were identified as Ernesto Loquena, 46, Gelbert Bayot and Reynante Gemino. Authorities have yet to identify the latest confirmed fatality.
Three more miners identified as Bryan Monsoon, Roel Dacaldacal and Richard Monsoon remained trapped inside the collapsed tunnel.
Those who have been rescued were Pepe Mendoza, Aljun Dumalaga, Oliver Uganap, Carlito Morado, Alberto Agyang and Angelito Tonio.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the mining tunnel’s collapse. Rescue efforts continue.