In 2018, a landslide in Itogon, Benguet took the lives of over 40 people.
The alleged cause was mining in the mountainous areas.
This is why the residents of Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet struggle to sleep, especially during heavy rains where fear is their pillow.
“These cracks, if they collapse, are dangerous for people and even for our livelihoods, which might get destroyed,” said Juanito Alyado, an elder.
The cracks on the mountains mined by Philex Corporation are already large, and the trees have also toppled.
Philex explains this is due to the Santa Fe fault line.
According to Rowena Sapera-Blanco, Environment Manager at Philex Mining Corp, “Some of these cracks are because of mining operations, along with the fault mentioned earlier. So that area, we won’t be rehabbing it. For now, mitigation measures are in place and activities are being conducted to stabilize the area.”
Reforestation or replanting of trees in the mountainous areas will be their solution.
The problem is how long it will take to restore the forest’s beauty.
Meanwhile, residents are also concerned about the company’s new exploration of over 300 hectares of mountainous land where they are studying parts of the mountain for possible mining.
“It will determine the area that can be a playground for further exploration because drilling is expensive, so we have to be precise,” Roel Malapitan, Geologist at Philex Mining Corp mentioned.
Residents blame their current water supply issues on this.
Daniel David, a resident, stated, “The community needs water. Our water source here has dropped below, it can no longer reach us. There is no water rising to the surface here.”
“If there’s a shortage, how many users are there? Because we, when our water is enough, we stop sending it to the tank or reservoir; they’re the ones using it. It’s a competition between the user tank and hose,” Malapitan mentioned.
As part of their Social Development and Management Program, they distributed some water tanks to the community.
According to Christopher Cheno, Community Relations Officer at Philex Mining Corp, “We will provide through our social development program to repair the water system, but the community should manage distribution, plan when a household will use it. They will handle that planning.”
Philex Corporation asserted that they have complete permits, but they remain open to dialogue with residents and officials of Barangay Camp 3.
**RHEN DE GUZMAN
