THE City Local Environment and Natural Resources (Clenro) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) are hastening the plan to rehabilitate the mountain ridges of Barangay Tuburan, Cagayan de Oro City, after cracks appeared at the previous mined area.
Clenro Chief Edwin Dael said the two agencies conducted the study almost two months ago and have been working with the development plan to prevent further destruction.
Dael said the plan will address the danger of liquefaction which may trigger flash floods that will affect low lying areas in Cagayan de Oro and Opol, Misamis Oriental.
"Kung malangan man gud naa nay crack simbako mo-penetrate ang tubig sa crack there might be a possibility of liquefaction. As of now dili pa man kaayo pero kung mapasagdan mao nana ang danger," Dael said.
Dael said the cracks are due to the man-made open pit in 2013 and the continuous mining operations.
"Katong open pit last 2013 nga dako kaayo naa sa river bed mao nakaingon nga ang stability sa bukid naapektuhan. Hinoon karon nawala na ang open pit tungod sa mga ulan-ulan," Dael said.
Dael added the rehabilitation works will cost millions, part of which will be shouldered by the local government unit of Opol, Misamis Oriental.
"Gasto man gud ang pag-rehab mao mag coordinate ta sa Opol LGU para magkatinabangay ta kay ang receiving end is CDO and Opol man," Dael said.
Dael said the rehabilitation works would include benching and planting of deep-rooted trees and grasses to prevent liquefaction.
The project would start as soon as the development plan is approved and the funds become available.
Dael said Clenro and other concerned groups and law enforcers remain active in going after illegal mining operators in the city's hinterland villages.
