The Sangguniang Bayan of Mainit, Surigao
del Norte and Jabonga, Agusan del Norte recently alleged the mining operation to
have effect on the fish kill lately happened in the Municipality of Mainit on
April while fish deformation, malnourishment and the extinction of freshwater
prawn locally known as “uyang” or “ulang” and the freshwater shrimp commonly
called as “isik”. The SB revealed the
allegation during the visit and presentation of the BPP by LMDA staff last
November 23 and December 3, 2012 respectively.
The
allegation from SB Mainit
Hon. Bernabe Mantilla informed LMDA
that Mainitnons felt that there was mining effect of the Greenstone Mining operation
on the current fish kill occurred last April 2012. Mr. Barillo, the BPP Project
Coordinator who presented on the session last November 23, 2012 said that LMDA
was already informed of the incident and collaborate it with the DENR.
The Presiding Officer Hon. Michael Mozar
said that their office invited the Greenstone to present the situation of the
mining operation. However, he admitted that SB office have lack of technical
know-how on the real cause of the fish kill. He suggested LMDA, BFAR and DENR,
the right authorities to help them find if mining has something do to with the
fish kill. Mr. Barillo said that the SB suggestions will be taken to LMDA and
other right authorities.
The
revelation from SB Jabonga
Hon.
Sebastian Bermudez informed that there is alarming observation about the
vanishing of “isik” recently happened
in Jabonga. He said that years before, the passengers travelling to Surigao and
Butuan cities knew that they already arrived in Barangay Bangayan part of
Jabonga, Agusan del Norte since they felt odor from the “isik” that were sundried along the national highway but now we can
no longer see it anywhere in the Jabonga. Moreover, he also personally observed
as a local fisherman that he caught malnourish “pijanga” (local name of
freshwater Gobby) and Tilapia. He describes that pijanga and tilapia he caught
have big heads but small body, which he called it as malnourished fish. He also informed that he caught fish with
damaged skin, which he thought to have affected by cyanide. (continue)
