Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tereso Magno bared on Wednesday that his office is anticipating the final results of the investigation conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the landslide in Zone 1, Barangay Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro on February 6, 2024 as this will decide the fate of mining operations in the area.
“Naghihintay tayo ngayon, nakikipag-usap at nakikipag-coordinate sa DENR, naghihintay tayo ng official na. Kahapon lang nagkausap kami ng DENR undersecretary kung nasaan na yung resulta sa investigation,” Magno said in an interview.
Magno added that the report of the DENR will help determine to come for the ways forward.
“But there will be a report that will come out which will determine and states for the ways forward. Will people still be allowed to live in that area? Anong nangyari bakit may mga taong nakatira doon at naapektuhan? My office is coordinating with the DENR and we are waiting for the result. We are waiting for the official statement and result of the investigation of the DENR,” he said.
Magno said it was the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the landslide victims.
On February 7, 2024, Marcos conducted an aerial inspection of a flooded and landslide-stricken area of Davao de Oro.
“Ang sinabi ng Presidente nung bumisita siya dito unahin tulungan ang mga biktima. Seguraduhin na maayos ang lugar at kung ano ang plano moving forward,” Magno said.
Municipality of Maco Mayor Arthur Carlos Voltaire Rimando terminated the search and retrieval operations of the Masara landslide on February 22, 2024, through Executive Order No. 17 series of 2024.
