The Bohol Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) vowed to sustain intensified monitoring operations against illegal mining in the province in accordance with Environment Secretary Gina Lopez’ bid to stamp out unlawful mining.

According to Nestor Canda of PENRO, local officials of the department are regularly making rounds in mining areas of operation to check documents such as permits to ensure unauthorized mining is not conducted in the province.

Canda said that there have been no reported illegal mining operations in the province so far as owners and operators of mining in towns have proper documents and are not committing violations.

However, the PENRO is currently conducting a probe on an excavation project which is reportedly a treasure hunting activity in Brgy. Mayana, Jagna.

He added that miners in the province are only engaging in small-scale mining and they have all secured permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The office’s only concern so far are the slew of quarry sites deemed at risk and are likely to cause accidents.

Canda pinpointed quarry operators who are not observing proper slope benching as those prone to accidents.

Following the reports, the DENR continued to issue warnings to quarry operators reminding them to observe proper safety measures to keep workers from harm. (Allen Doydora)