Small-scale mining shut down in Bonbon

The Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday stopped three small-scale coal mining activities in barangay Bonbon, Cebu City.

A cease-and-desist order was delivered to Paulino Bonghanoy in sitio Camarin yesterday morning by DOE Visayas Field Office representatives, led by legal officer Mark Gamallo.

Two more coal mining sites were discovered by the DOE officials in sitio Lubo.

“These small-scale coal mining activities don’t have valid permits from the DOE. It’s important that these activities are registered for safety purposes and for monitoring. We know that coal mining is very dangerous work,” Gamallo said.

Gamallo said they will prepare another report on the two other coal mines.

“Hopefully by next week, we can issue another cease-and-desist order,” he said.

Mounds of coal found in the area were seized. Gamallo said they will bid these out.

The DOE has been monitoring the mining activities of Bonghanoy, which has been ongoing for over a year.

When Cebu Daily News visited Bonghanoy’s mine yesterday afternoon, a tarpaulin that read “This coal mine is closed by virtue of the authority of the Department of Energy” covered the mine’s entrance.

“This is just small-scale. This is our livelihood. We also want to help others who don’t have  jobs and are struggling because of the very hot weather,” the 75-year-old Bonghanoy told CDN in Cebuano.

Bonghanoy employs five to 10 workers in the mine. A worker is paid P250 to P300 a day.

In turn, he sells the coal to middlemen at around P3,000 per ton.

Bonghanoy said he will comply with the DOE requirements for a small-scale mining permit.

Bonbon barangay captain Alex Ibarrita said they will monitor the mining activities to make sure they won’t continue.

“We just hope DOE will help them get permits because they depend on this for livelihood. It’s difficult to farm now because of the hot weather,” he said in Cebuano.