La Trinidad, Benguet: All operations in small scale mining areas in Benguet province's so-called "gold rush areas" like Itogon and Mankayan has been ordered closed as part of storm preparations by Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council chairperson Alex Uy. Uy has asked the Department of Interior and Local Government to empower barangay risk and disaster councils to check on their respective areas and stop small scale mining operations.
Read more: Benguet closes small scale mines