Surigao City (November 23) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her recent visit to Surigao ordered the Regional Director of the Philippine National Police, P/Chief Superintendent Jaime E. Milla to help reinforce the law which prohibits small-scale mining activities in Surigao del Norte to prevent further loss of life and reduce damage to properties caused by illegal mining activities in the province.
President Arroyo made the pronouncement following the deaths of five miners in Placer who were undertaking illegal small scale mining activities last November 19, 2007 and another 2 women-victims of landslides in Brgy. Cagniog, Surigao City.
"Small scale-mining has been prohibited in the province (Surigao del Norte) for some time now and therefore it is important that this law must be enforced and I am instructing the Regional Director of the PNP to help in enforcing the prohibition of small scale-mining," President Arroyo said.
Meantime, President Arroyo also asserted the areas in Surigao City and Surigao del Norte which have been identified as hazardous for landslide and tsunami in the recently conducted DENR-MGB Geo-hazard mapping be considered as 'no mans land' or permanent danger zone.
The recent landslide in Surigao City, which caused the deaths of two women in Brgy. Cagniog, Surigao City was the result of the stubbornness of the residents and the victims were believed to be informal dwellers.
The President said there is a need for a forcible eviction for those who were living in hazardous areas to prevent another tragedy. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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