After awarding the principal dredgers with their permits for dredging the Naboc River last February 13, 2020 the Naboc River is now starting to rebuild its youth and restore its natural state as what it is before.
Almost three decades when the inhabitants of Mt. Diwalwal started to mine gold reserves and practice using small-scale mineral processing plants and now finally, Naboc River was given justice. The mercury content and high fecal coliform count in the river doesn’t solely affect the province of Davao de Oro, but also other provinces who rely on the river in terms of irrigation needs in farming and other agricultural matters.
Due to the activation of the Task Force Naboc River and the implementation of the cease and desist order, the original figure of operators for small scale-mineral processing plants were continuously shredding off. Out of 390 operators, there are only 130 who were found to be operating and will surely be stopped and transferred to the Mabatas Area, which means more than half were following what is strictly implemented.
Three weeks ago, five individuals in Mt. Diwalwal were caught by the Philipine National Police (PNP). They were still operating in Mt. Diwaldawal resisting the order imposed by the government which is strictly prohibited. “Nakasabot ang lokal nga pang-gobyerno nga ilaha kining panginabuhian ug temporaryo kini nga naundang, ang amung intervention nga gipropose sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) nga mahatagan sila ug ayuda alang sa atung mga displaced workers karung higayona didto sa Diwalwal, “ said Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy
The provincial government of Davao de Oro would like to appeal for a better and faster cooperation with the residents of Mt. Diwalwal. Direct cooperation in terms of transferring the operations from Mt. Diwalwal to the Mabatas Area would lessen the chance of completely killing Naboc river and operators can operate again in the preferred area for it has a containment facility preventing direct discharge of wastes in the river.
The movement doesn’t concretely mean to stop the bread and butter of the people of Diwalwal. It aims to establish a practice and a mindset who prioritizes the sake of the majority in a sustainable manner.