Makabayan bloc wants probe on Benguet, Cebu landslides

House Makabayan bloc lawmakers Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis), Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela), and Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna) file House Resolution 2238, which calls for an investigation on the landslides that killed many residents in Itogon, Benguet and Naga City, Cebu, on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Photo from House Makabayan bloc

The House Makabayan bloc on Wednesday sought an inquiry into the recent landslides in Itogon, Benguet and Naga, Cebu.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, ACT-Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Resolution 2238 in a bid to come up with an appropriate legislation to avoid similar tragedies.

According to the lawmakers, there is a need to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the deaths of more than 90 people in Itogon, Benguet and the feared death of almost 100 people in Naga, Cebu due to landslides triggered by the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

They added that the mining and quarrying industries are “governed by the grossly ineffective and defective Philippine Mining Act of 1995.”

“Many groups have pushed for its repeal for more than two decades, citing its legalizing unbridled mining plunder, massive land grabbing, environmental degradation, and endangering mine workers and communities,” they said.

“The House of Representatives must respond to these issues in a prompt, fair, and judicious manner especially at the wake of this tragedy,” they continued.

As of September 17, a total of 94 people had been confirmed dead after a landslide struck the municipality of Itogon.

On the other hand, at least 70 individuals were reported killed in the Naga landslide.  /kga