‘Clarify directive on quarrying’

MANILA, Philippines — The Nueva Ecija provincial government has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to clarify its directive on the issuance of quarrying permits.

In a letter to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu on Aug. 13, Nueva Ecija Gov. Czarina Umali insisted that the provincial government has the sole authority to issue permits for quarrying operations.

Under an agreement that Umali is questioning, Cabanatuan City will supervise the assessment of the water system, while the environment and public works departments will oversee the dredging and desilting plan in the province’s third district.