Bill sees end to logging, mining in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—The end to mining and logging activities in the hinterlands of this city is now in sight, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said on Friday.

Rodriguez said the bill he had filed to declare Cagayan de Oro a no-logging and mining zone passed the House and is now pending in the Senate for approval.

Logging and mining for gold and chromite in the city’s hinterland villages were among the factors blamed for the Dec. 17 devastating flood that left about 700 people dead and scores of others missing to this day.

But Mayor Vicente Emano and his allies in the city council said otherwise. City Councilor President D. Elipe, Emano’s son-in-law, said the mining activities did not cause the swelling and overflowing of the Iponan River.

Rodriguez said siltation caused by the mining and logging activities, whether legal or illegal, was the reason the rivers overflowed amid heavy rains in December.

“What are they talking about? It’s scientifically proven that siltation made the river shallower and thus when the river runs high, it floods the lower villages,” Rodriguez said.

City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas had admitted that at least nine mining firms operate in hinterland villages, where the Iponan River traverses.

Logging activities also exist in the said villages, he said.

Rodriguez said Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Teofisto Guingona III have pledged to support the bill in the Senate.

Pimentel is from Cagayan de Oro and Guingona’s mother is from neighboring Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.