LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – At least 10,000 tons of coal reportedly abandoned by miners or confiscated by the government will be removed from different ports of Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay, the Department of Energy (DOE) said yesterday.
DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada said in a radio interview here that a team was sent on Saturday to Rapu-Rapu to haul the coal.
Monsada said local officials stopped the hauling due to the absence of representatives from DOE.
She said the DOE representatives failed to arrive on time in Albay after their plane got stranded in Zamboanga.
The DOE official said the agency has instructed the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to remove and dispose of the coal with the help of the local police.
She said residents were complaining of the smell coming from the coal and its pollution of the waters of Bagawbawan, Poblacion and Batan Island.
Monsada said the DOE representatives would also help local small-scale miners legalize their operations.
Monsada said the small-scale miners often become victims of underpricing by some unscrupulous coal traders.