T'boli miners suspend operation for World Environment Day

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Wednesday 6th of June 2012

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 6 (PIA) -- Small-scale mine operators in T’Boli town in South Cotabato suspended its operations and declared yesterday, June 5, a mining holiday to join the celebration of the World Environment Day.

Engr. Seigfred Flaviano, acting chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), said tunnel operators themselves had proposed the activity to promote environmental protection.

The activity began with opening ceremonies, attended by mining operators and their employees, local government officials, PEMO employees, students in the area, and officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Also, almost 500 individuals planted trees in Barangays Desawu and Kematu, where about five hectares of land were designated for the purpose.

Flaviano added that he has already assigned a PEMO personnel who would monitor and make sure that the mining operations continue the activity until they have complied with their commitment because yesterday’s tree-planting activity would not cover the five-hectare pledge.

Flaviano has urged other mining and quarry operators in other parts of the province to conduct similar activities in support of the Environment Month.

Besides the tree-planting activity, the PEMO also spearheads the clean-up drive of the processing plants in Poblacion, T’boli.

It has also scheduled a massive re-vegetation of riparian zones, in partnership with several stakeholders including communities along riverbanks, non-government organizations and civic associations. This involves planting of bamboo, vetiver grass and trees to protect riverbanks from further erosion and strengthen these against flooding.

This year’s World Environment Day celebration centers on the theme, “Green Economy: Does it Include You?”

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

A green economy, it continues, can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. (DED-PIA12)