DENR closes black sand mining firm

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 3, City of San Fernando closed down recently a black sand mining firm in Zambales for operating within 70 meters from the shores of Candelaria, Zambales in violation of environmental laws.

Danilo Uykieng, regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-DENR in Central Luzon, issued a cease and desist order to New Gian Hwa Co. (NGHC) and directed the company to immediately dismantle and pull out all its equipment from the coastal village of Binabalian in Candelaria.

The violation was bared by a DENR fact-finding team deployed in the area.

Uykieng said the firm violated the provisions of Batas Pambansa 265 which prohibits the extraction of gravel and sand, and such other activities as would erode and diminish the natural beauty of beaches.   It also violated Section 1 of DENR Administrative Order 2007-15 which closes to mining operations, onshore areas within 200 meters from the mean low tide level along the coasts.

Regional Executive Director Antonio Principe, DENR-Region 3, appealed to local executives of Candelaria town and provincial government of Zambales to help DENR monitor the province’s 173-kilometer coastline to prevent illegal small scale mining and processing operations.

Principe also urged the 12 coastal towns and 76 coastal villages of Zambales to be more vigilant and report immediately any suspected illegal mining operation in their area to the nearest DENR office and local government unit saying that “Prevention and early detection are effective deterrent to environmental crimes,” he said.     – Benny Enriquez