Anti- Benguet Corp protesters surge
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan is backing protests against Benguet Corporation.
A small group of protesters stormed the gates of the mining company Monday morning in the hopes to elevate their concerns to the administration and management.
Palangdan said the protesters cannot be
blamed because it has been over five months since the sinking in Virac have taken place and there is still no relocation for those who have been rendered homeless by the tragedy.
The mayor said there are nine families seeking temporary shelter from the mining company before the permanent site can be readied but the company has failed to provide for the victims.
“Usapan namin magbigay ng temporary shelter, pero wala pa ren,” Palangdan lamented.
Last year, residents of sitio Manga saw the collapse of residential units swallowed by a circular hole suddenly appearing on the ground.
The MGB report says the subsidence was triggered by the abnormally high rainfall brought about by typhoon Lando, recording 775.4mm of rainfall for a single day equivalent for one month of rain.
Palangdan said he understands the plight of the protesters and has pledged his full backing.
The mayor added plans and funds to re- habilitate the road in the sinking area are underway but it is awaiting the go signal of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Palangdan said plans to backfill the sunken area were also discussed during a meeting with officials of the mining company but action has been stalled until now.
In the province, Governor Nestor Fongwan earlier confirmed plans to file a case against Beguet Corporation.
Fongwan said the filing of legal charges against the mining giant will be the last option of the province for their non-action.
The Governor added the legal team of the province is now looking into research for the cases to be filed against Benguet Corporation which will stem from non-compliance to the prescribed Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Fongwan said issues surrounding the company include pushing for the permanent relocation of residents in Itogon town allegedly affected by the operations. Maria Elena Catajan