Gwen suspends river quarrying in Sapangdaku

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has ordered the suspension and non-renewal of permits of the 25 quarry operators at the Sapangdaku River in Toledo City.

Garcia’s order stemmed from the request of the officials of the barangays bordering the river because the riverbank is becoming closer to the residential areas.

The quarry operation was suspended four years ago but it was lifted on condition that operators would strictly adhere to the specified area of operation.

Report said that most of the quarry operators did not observe with the specification prompting Garcia to issue another suspension.

“It seems that they did not adhere to the conditions set forth in their permits,” Garcia said.

Garcia is set to personally inspect the area tomorrow and will meet the permittees in Toledo City during her visit to inaugurate projects.

Garcia met last week with Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinoza and the barangay captains of Magdugo, Cambang-ug, Ilihan, Sangi and Canlumampao. Also present during the meeting were the officials of Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau.

Earlier, the Capitol stopped sand and gravel extractions from the Sapangdaku River as the provincial government agreed to head a multipartite task force to go after illegal operators.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the "redefining of the boundaries of the Sapangdaku River" was also signed.

The river is supposed to only have a width of 120 meters to 250 meters.

The parties also agreed that operators with permits to extract sand and gravel for one year are required to rehabilitate the quarry area.

Under the agreement, permits to operators located outside the proposed river course will be suspended.

The Sapangdaku River that is also known as the Hinulawan River passes through Barangays Magdugo, Cambang-ug, Ilihan, Sangi and Canlumampao in Toledo City. – (FREEMAN)