Peace, order prevail in defunct mine site in Sipalay

Peace and order prevails in Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City in southern Negros Occidental, where the defunct Maricalum Mining Corp. mine site is located.

Despite the years of labor rows between labor organizations, and the armed conflicts between groups claiming ownership of the defunct mining properties, normalcy has returned to the once progressive barangay.

Brgy. Captain Marlon Z. Canillo, Sr. also told newsmen during an interview at the Barangay hall on Dec. 3, 2021 that despite the presence of some individuals scavenging for iron, steel, building materials and other valuables they can still salvage or recover, there are no more guards nor barricades at the mining sites’ entrances and exits.

Canillo said that the barangay, with a 2020 population of more than 6,000, is now recovering from the decades-old closure of the mining operations. “More sons and daughters of thousands of residents who used to work or solely depend on the mining operations already have jobs to sustain their family, while others have livelihood undertakings,” he said.

The barangay captain added that he is addressing the needs of his constituents especially in restoring potable water connections that were used to be maintained by the mining firm.

Also the pavement of bad access roads by establishing foot walks that can also accomodate motorcycles and tricycles, and beefing up the number of tanods to augment the only one policeman assigned in the community.* (NDB/Arman Toga photos)