It was on October 1st when Gov. Joy Bernos convened DENR, ENRO, PNP, and the Philippine Army for an emergency meeting at the Governor’s Gallery to implement Executive Order No. 11, s. 2018, stopping all mining operations and all related activities in the province.

On October 3, 2018, the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force went to Brgy. Dumagas in Boliney and Sitio Ableg in Manabo to halt mining operations in those areas. Two days after (October 5, 2018), the task force closed down the mining activities in Sallapadan and in Daguioman.

Today, DENR, ENRO, PNP and the Philippine Army goes to Lacub to halt all mining operations in the municipality.

According to Mr. Cris Albolote of ENRO-Abra, gold miners who were affected objected to the closure of small-scale mining.

However, Mr. Albolote said that if ever the affected individuals have a proposed livelihood project, they can submit it to the Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Also, Albolote urged the small-scale miners to comply with the implementation of the executive order and engage in other livelihoods to improve eco-tourism.

As of today, five small-scale mining sites out of seven have already closed.