DENR sacks MGB chief in Zambales

By. Jeffrey G. Damicog – Tempo

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday that it has relieved one of its officials in Zambales over the rampant illegal extraction of nickel ore in the province.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza ordered last Monday the relief of DENR’s Region 3 Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Anselmo Abungan after 200,000 metric tons of illegal mined nickel pre worth $4 million were confiscated from A3 Una Corp in Sta. Cruz last Feb. 28.
With this, Atienza sought to put on hold all mining activities in the province and threatened to file administrative charges against one of its local executives, Sta. Cruz Mayor Luisito Marty.