Rama urged: Stop quarry in Binaliw

CEBU, Philippines - The barangay officials of Binaliw have turned to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to stop an alleged illegal quarry operation in their barangay for fear that this will endanger the lives of their constituents.

Barangay Captain Wilson Bacor, upon the authority of the barangay council, asked Rama to help them stop the quarrying of limestone by a certain Raul Diano.

According to Bacor, the barangay has already issued a cease and desist order against Diano but the latter ignored it. Some of the haulers are even government-owned vehicles.

Bacor said the limestone is being used as filling materials for potholes in the different barangays of the city.

Bacor’s letter was brought up last Wednesday during the regular session of the City Council wherein the body agreed to refer the matter before the Cebu City Mining Board and City Legal Office.

Meanwhile, the City Hall also received a complaint from the Casals Village Homeowners Association against a private construction company. The homeowners complained against an excessive noise from the construction company that is allegedly disturbing them during night time.

Homeowner’s association president Joe Cabugao said they have already brought up the matter before the barangay officials of Mabolo and with the police authorities, but the engineers of Bia Buzz Construction General Services reportedly ignored their complaints.

Cabugao said he and the other residents are complaining about the noise coming from the construction site which they said, is causing physiological and psychological health damage to the residents.

He said the unwanted sounds from different construction activities like hammering, dropping of heavy materials, the incessant hamming of a big cement mixer, shouting of workers start at 7 o’clock in the evening and until midnight. 

“Who are these people and entity who can just violate laws and ordinances with impunity and treat authorities like children who do not know anything?” the complainant said.

The City Council has referred the matter before the legal office and the Office of the Building Officials. (FREEMAN)