City intensifies campaign vs illegal haulers

CEBU, Philippines – As part of efforts to preserve natural resources, Mandaue’s City Environmental and Natural Resources Office has intensified its fight against illegal extraction of sand and gravel in the rivers.

“We’re preserving our natural resources by monitoring the cutting of trees without permit and the illegal extraction of sand and gravel in Butuanon River,” said CENRO acting chief Placido Jerusalem.

Jerusalem said the Butuanon River in Barangay Paknaan is “most abused” when it comes to rampant extraction of sand and gravel.

Hence, he said, CENRO is set to organize a community-based network of river wardens. He said they will train and deputize these wardens from the barangay level to help them run against unscrupulous individuals.

While he admitted that the illegal mining of sand and gravel may be small-scale, he said many are reportedly doing it. Some are operating on individual basis while others are connected to construction firms, he added.

Jerusalem said when they caught these people, they quickly ran and left their hauled items, which were then turned over to the barangay.

“Managan man dayon na sila ug ibilin ilang kinawot. Mao nalang among kuhaon ug ihatag sa barangay,” he said.

He said they have also heightened the inspection of trucks carrying sand and gravel by checking their documents. So far, they have not apprehended one since they just started the operation when he assumed office as acting CENRO head early this month.

Jerusalem said apart from it being illegal, the hauling of sand and gravel in the rivers must be stopped because it has already caused a fence of Sacred Heart School to collapse and possibly bring about more destruction if tolerated.  (FREEMAN)