Cagayan de oro: The new administration of the Misamis Oriental provincial government will implement stricter enforcement against illegal mining activities. In a statement Wednesday, Governor Juliette Uy urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), along with the local leaders of the two concerned municipalities in the province, to take immediate action on the environmental issue.

According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Uy expressed concerns about the alleged proliferation of illegal gold mining and quarrying operations in the towns of Opol and Manticao. She emphasized that if mining were legalized and properly regulated, it could significantly contribute to the development of more hospitals and the enhancement of healthcare services in Misamis Oriental.

Uy reported receiving information about rampant, unregulated mining activities in these areas, prompting her to address the matter publicly. In response, she is set to call a joint meeting between her office, the MGB, and the concerned local government units to address these issues comprehensively.