Board recommends temporary suspension of mining permits

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Mining Regulatory Board has recommended the temporary suspension of all active permits issued by the board after they found upon inspection that most of those who were issued permits violated the conditions stipulated therein.

The board recommended that Mayor Michael Rama issue a Cease and Desist Order against all haulers so that no further damage will be made to the environment while thorough evaluation in underway.

Rama said he is yet to clarify some matters with the members of the board especially that they are dealing with a major issue.

“I have to clarify something first. It’s about a legal matter,” Rama said.

Renato Mercado, representative of the mayor to the board, said they have to justify their recommendations, but assured the same were carefully thought of.

A source from the board said protection of the environment was the main consideration in coming up with the recommendations after the board observed a “great alteration” in the environment due to hauling.

The board also found that most permits have been violated.

As of July 2011, the board has on record two quarry permit holders, two permit holders of small scale mining and 27 holders of a special quarry permit.

The board recently discovered quarrying operations without permits in Barangays Kalunasan, Binaliw, Pulangbato and San Jose which were issued a CDO.

Monitoring continues while the board continues to receive complaints from concerned citizens.

Last week, the board discovered a quarry site in Pulang-bato allegedly owned by M. Lhuillier that has no permit from the city government. The site is allegedly bigger than the one discovered and issued a CDO in Barangay San Jose.  (FREEMAN)