DENR experts sent to help in Compostela slide rescue

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has tapped its mining experts to lead rescue operations in Compostela Valley, where a pre-dawn landslide on Good Friday swept away an unknown number of small-scale miners and would-be prospectors asleep in their huts.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said that private mining firms and organizations have also pitched in, lending two helicopters that have been used to ferry rescuers to the site of the landslide, and sending in their own experts.

Paje, who said President Benigno Aquino III had directed the DENR to lead the rescue efforts, said that going to the site by land was nearly impossible because of the muddied roads, thus the use of helicopters.

A team from the department’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau led by Director Leo Jasareno left Manila on Saturday to oversee the rescue operations. Jasareno said the team was expected to arrive late Saturday afternoon.

Paje said the MGB officials would provide knowledge crucial to the rescue because of their expertise in tunneling, excavation and other mining-related activities. The team would work with soldiers of the Philippine Army, who are already in the area.

“We will combine the expertise of the MGB-DENR together with that of the military,” Paje said over the phone.

The experts from private firms would also help, he added.

Paje himself is expected to arrive at Compostela Valley on Sunday, along with Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, to be on top of the rescue efforts. The DENR would provide periodic updates on the rescue to the President.

According to Paje, the DENR’s operations would focus on saving the trapped workers. Policy matters would be decided later.

“There are no policy decisions yet. We will focus first on our most immediate concern, which is rescue,” Paje said.

The Compostela Valley landslide, triggered by heavy rains, had covered several illegal, small-scale gold mines, as well as houses, stores and gold processing mills.