(Eagle News)—-Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered a suspension of all small-scale mining operations in the entire Cordillera Administrative Region.
He said the suspension will apply until applications for Minahang Bayan are approved.
Cimatu gave the order after a landslide initially blamed on mining operations at the height of “Ompong” buried a chapel and claimed at least 33 lives in Itogon, Benguet.
“Ompong” has claimed at least 59 lives, the Philippine National Police said.
It exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night.
