BAGUIO CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR) on Friday reiterated its directive to suspend all small-scale mining activities during inclement weather.
“All small-scale miners are strongly advised to immediately stop operations and evacuate to safer areas due to the danger posed by the ongoing inclement weather,” the MGB said in a social media post.
“Your safety is our priority. Please stay alert and follow local advisories,” the post added.
The warning comes after another landslide occurred Friday morning in Sitio Acupan, Itogon, Benguet, damaging the community’s hanging bridge and threatening residents’ safety.
Last week, three individuals died and 44 families were affected in the same area due to a landslide caused by saturated soil in a known small-scale mining zone.
MGB-CAR Director Socrates Gaerlan earlier issued a similar advisory, urging miners to vacate tunnels and relocate from their shanties to safer areas, stressing the high risk of serious accidents or fatalities.
He also called on local government units to help enforce the directive.
According to the weather bureau, Cordillera provinces remain at risk of flash floods and landslides due to the southwest monsoon. (PNA)
