KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Governor Reynaldo Sucayan Tamayo Jr. has dismissed online claims that the recent landslide in Barangay Ned was caused by coal mining activities in the area.
Tamayo clarified that the landslide, which happened in Sitio El Dulog, is far from the mining site and not even on the access road used by trucks hauling coal.
“Yung nag-landslide kasi, hindi pa ito umabot sa minahan. Hindi rin ito dinadaanan ng malalaking sasakyan, pero nagkataon talaga na nagkaroon ng landslide dahil sa movement ng lupa sa taas,” the governor explained.
Tamayo said the geological condition of Barangay Ned makes the area naturally prone to soil movement, noting that the locality has been rich in coal deposits even before mining began.
“Maraming mga misinformation na lumalabas. Pero ang totoo niyan, wala pa man ang mining operation sa Ned, mayroon talagang movement ang lupa dahil sa presence ng coal,” he said.
He explained that coal formations naturally contain pores that let water and air seep through, which can lead to soil displacement over time.
“Ang coal kasi mayroong mga pores, may butas-butas. Napapasukan ito ng tubig at hangin kaya nagkakaroon ng movement ang lupa,” Tamayo added.
The governor also emphasized that the coal project in the area is being carried out by the national government through the Department of Energy.
According to Tamayo, large-scale mining operations are under the jurisdiction of the national government, clarifying that the provincial government has no direct control over the project.
“Ngayon gusto kong sabihin na ang nag-o-operate diyan ngayon ay ang Department of Energy. Kung meron mang private company, iyan ay gencon na lang o general contractor na kumokontrata para mag-haul ng coal mula sa taas,” he said.
Tamayo urged the public to remain cautious about misinformation and to rely on verified information regarding the situation in Barangay Ned.
