Priest appeals to stop black sand mining in Leyte town
The black sand mining operation in Brgy. Maya, MacArthur, Leyte. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. AMADEO ALVERO
By CBCP News
December 11, 2020
Palo, Leyte
A Catholic priest has appealed to the government to stop black sand mining operations in the town of McArthur in Leyte province.
Taking a cue from the recent flooding in Cagayan Valley region, Fr. Amadeo Alvero of St. Isidore Parish in McArthur urged the authorities to implement environmental laws to prevent similar disasters in the future.
“I am pleading with my bended knees to stop the Black Sand Mining here in MacArthur,” Alvero said.
“If we protect the environment from destruction, the environment will protect us from destruction,” he said.
To drum up their campaign against mining, Alvero on Dec. 7 led a motorcade in the town, which is endowed with rich fertile lands and a lake.
“Help us stop this black sand mining… for the sake of those who will suffer and die in the future if we do not protect our environment,” Alvero said.
About 2,000 hectares of mining claims was reportedly granted by the government to the McArthur Iron Projects Corp., which runs the local operation of Strong Built Mining Development Corp.
The mining project reportedly covers the towns of McArthur, Abuyog and Javier.
Black sand is an additive in concrete and steel production, as well as for the manufacture of jewelry and cosmetics.
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