Special to Edge Davao, Oct. 16 -Environment-watchdog Haribon Foundation is urging the government to implement strictly environmental laws before mangroves and the coastal habitat of marine organisms in Lanuza Bay, Surigao del Sur are destroyed due to sedimentation caused by mining companies.
“Due to sedimentation, the coastal habitat and the mangroves are now covered and destroyed. Fishes can no longer lay their eggs. Nawalan ng maitlogan ang mga isda. Dahil wala ng maitlogan, lilipat ng ibang area ang mga isda at dahil dito mawawalan ng kabuhayan ang mga mangingisda,” said Gregorio E. de la Rosa Jr, conservation science and research manager of Haribon in an interview during the Partners Forum recently held in one of the hotels in this city.
Dela Rosa said mining started in Lanuza Bay in 2010 and based on information prior to the entry of mining companies in Surigao del Sur, the bay (sea) was clean. Due to mining, the water is now clay-colored. In Surigao del Sur, there are 3 legal mining companies that are operating and all passed certification during the time of former environment secretary Gina Lopez.
“Pag titingnan mo sa historical satellite maps malinis talaga pero ngayon kulay pula na dahil sa clay. During rainy season since mining started the mud in Lanuza Bay area is hip-deep due to sedimentation,” he said.
De la Rosa said sedimentation is a big threat to the marine resources to the immediate community and other areas.
“Recently published in a scientific paper last week hindi lang ang Surigao del Sur and maapektuhan ng sedimentation but also other areas like Mati City dahil sa current,” he said.
He also said that mining companies should properly set up settling ponds to stop the mine runoff that also affect the marine habitat. He also said that mangroves are also destroyed due to continuous exposure of the area to the barge’s landing platform.
“Based on the law, mangroves should not be touched,” he said.
An anti-large scale mining organization, De la Rosa said, Haribon will do a plan entitled Lanuza Bay Environmental Management for the seven municipalities in Surigao del Sur to reduce the sedimentation that will be implemented by the Local Government Unit (LGU).
“What we did we based it on scientific study kung saan galing and we also coordinated with the province of Surigao del Norte for an enforcement to reduce the threat due to sedimentation,” he said.
Haribon is urging for the enforced setting up of the settling ponds, and putting back the land cover such as using of coco coir, plant native trees to reduce runoff.
He said in partnership with the LGU, they are calling for a strict implementation on the national laws for mining to reduce sedimentation such as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), wildlife act, proper set up of the settling ponds to avoid the spilling over of settling ponds.
“We also want clear implementation of the forest land use plan to identify where mining is allowed and the planting of the native trees to reduce run off and sedimentation,” he said.
He also said that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau must strictly monitor that there are no lapses from the mining companies.
