MANILA, Oct. 17, 2010-Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes has called for the halt of the Balocawe mining project, saying that mining in whatever way will only destroy the lives of the people.
"Irresponsible mining destroys our lives and our community. Be it small-scale or large-scale operation, it is an affront to the integrity of creation," Bastes said.
He said the small-scale mining in Brgy. Balocawe, Matnog, Sorsogon, is principally deceptive and destructive and urged the government to cancel the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued to the company.
The bishop said there is a need to conduct an impartial and complete Environmental Impact Assessment of the mining operation in the municipality.
The Balocawe mining operation uses heavy machineries like hydraulics-powered trucks, backhoes and machines.
It is a large-scale mining operation that systematically extorts large volume of ores from the mineralized mountain.
The prelate also said that this mining project is an "open-pit mining operation."
"The entire mountain is flattened to mine the ores. The top-soil is removed, trees are cut and siltation is an inevitable result of the loose top-soil that will cover the farm land and rice paddies. Under heavy rain, mudslide and flood are risk-points for the community," he said.
In a recent study, Matnog is considered as part of the "Geo-Hazard areas in the province of Sorsogon."
"Conducting mining in such areas will further endanger the community and their livelihood," Bastes explained. (Kate Laceda)