Itogon, Benguet: A sitio in this municipality has lost its sources livelihood because of a mine tailings dam spill, according to Mayor Oscar Camantiles of itogon
Camantiles identified the sitio as Pangbasan, Dalupirip.

The mayor said the sitio’s residents depended on fishing and gold panning as their main sources of livelihood.

The community was affected after tailings dam three of the Philex Mining Company (Philex) leaked mining tailings into a local body of water.

“We have not yet lifted our order banning fishing in the river,” the mayor said.

Camantiles, likewise, said that siltation made gold panning impossible.

Earlier, Camantiles cautioned the community to temporarily halt fishing activities, pending the assessment of concerned agencies who have yet to determine whether the fishes in the affected reservoir are safe for human consumption.

According to the mayor, the clean-up drive along the Balog Creek should be halted as well for safety reasons.

The clean-up drive, said the mayor, was initiated by Philex, which hired local residents for the said purpose.

Local residents, however, asserted that they could only work on areas of the reservoir that are not hazardous. They, however, suggested that the clean-up drive could serve as an alternative source of livelihood.

The said proposal, conversely, is still under review, according to Camantiles.

According to Camantiles, the barangay and the municipal government is looking into the possibility of forging a partnership with Philex on the comprehensive development of the affected community.

This involves the construction of bridges, foot trails, and various livelihood programs.

“We understand that it is a long range project but we hope we could arrive into an agreement with Philex once the immediate concerns of the community are fully addressed,” he said.