Miners’ rescue team on standby

Members of Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. emergency response team prepare to leave the company mine site in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, to provide assistance to earthquake victims. They were deployed within hours of Friday night’s earthquake. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said on Saturday their members have pooled their resources to help the rescue and relief work in Surigao City after it was struck by a 6.7-magnitude earthquake.

COMP chair Art Disini said relief goods were being prepared by the mining firms based in Surigao del Norte for distribution to affected residents. Mine workers trained in rescue missions are on standby to help, he said.

COMP offered its assistance despite an order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to shut down or suspend the operations of some of its members.

Nickel Asia Corp. and CTP Construction and Mining Corp. reported no casualties among their workers and residents in their areas. Nickel Asia said its facilities suffered no damage while CTP officials were still making an assessment.

CTP chief executive officer Carlo Pimentel said emergency response teams from his company were coordinating with the Bureau of Fire Protection on ways they could help in post-disaster efforts.

He said CTP was prepared to provide temporary shelters and clean water.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said local disaster and social welfare officials were closely watching the situation in the province. —WITH REPORTS FROM LEILA B. SALAVERRIA

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Members of Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. emergency response team prepare to leave the company mine site in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, to provide assistance to earthquake victims. They were deployed within hours of Friday night’s earthquake. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO