Team created to monitor Toledo river projects

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) - 7 bared the creation of multipartite monitoring team (MMT) for industrial sand and gravel (ISAG) projects along the four river systems in Toledo City, Cebu.

This, as the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC) approved a resolution last August 3 organizing and operationalizing an MMT for the six ISAG projects with an aggregate approved area of 53.6311 hectares.

The four rivers where these projects pass through are Sapangdaku, Maypay, Abayan, and Guinguiotan, all in the said City.

MGB-7 Director Loreto B. Alburo said the composition of an MMT is pursuant to Section 185 of Department of Administrative Order (DAO) 2010-21 of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

“The same law that states an MMT shall be deputized by the MRFC to serve as the monitoring on environmental protection and enhancement programs implemented by mining operators,” said Alburo in a statement.

The six ISAG covering portions of seven barangays in Toledo City with approved applied areas are: Maria Celeste Dolino, 13.5421 hectares; Carino Obiso, 9.5304 hectares; Ophelio Dolino, 5.24 hectares; Humphrey Benitez, 8.3619 hectares; Gina Besañes, 7.7640 hectares, and Mervin Teo, 9.1927 hectares.

Led by a division chief of Mining Environment and Safety Division of MGB 7, the team is composed of representatives from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Toledo City, Environmental Impact Assessment of Environmental Management Bureau- 7, ISAG project proponent, City Environment and Natural Resources Office of local government unit of Toledo City, and Toledo City Environmental Protection Association Inc..

With the establishment of an MMT, Alburo added that periodic monitoring on the compliance on certain environmental provisions will be ensured so that appropriate interventions will be readily executed based on the findings and observations by the composite team.

As indicated, the MMT head shall submit to the MRFC at least five days before the scheduled regular meeting a report on the status or result of its monitoring activities.- (FREEMAN)