MABINI. – A worker who made a living from small-scale mining in this town died after an accident befell on him inside the cave while excavating for guano and rock phosphate deposits. A huge rock accidentally fell on Celso Peligro, Sr., 52, while trying to extract phosphate materials inside a cave at barangay Tambo, this coastal town, said his fellow worker. This was confirmed by Vincent Castanos, son of mine concessionaire Vicente Castanos in separate interview. His co-worker, said in an interview, he was already buried last week of February this year, the Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) learned this during an ocular inspection last week headed by BEMO officer Leonilo Lafuente and company. It was not immediately known if the Peligro family was indemnified. This alarmed town officials led by Mayor Esther Tabigue prompting her to personally inspect the situation of the cave which is still under dispute between claimant Restituto Tan and Castanos.

This remote coastal barangay is home to high-grade guano deposits which are being grinded to pieces for ingredients in producing organic fertilizers. The Castanos are now in the process of renewing its permit to extract guano/phosphate here with the BEMO making the actual inspection as part of the requirements. But it was not known whether officials here would give its nod in the form of endorsement for the permit renewal. Castanos, owner of the St. Vincent’s Ventures, was issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) No. RO7-0908-0395-307 on February 12, 2009 by the Enviromental Management Bureau (EMB) to conduct small-time quarry for guano/phosphate with an area of 14,268 sq. meters here. Another guano permittee identified as one Ms. Lydia Salazar was issued ECC No. 9105-017-302A by EMB on April 30, 1992. Salazar operates ina nearby cave not so far from where the Castanos.