DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu orders partial lifting of quarry ban

MANILA, Philippines — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu yesterday ordered the partial lifting of the suspension of quarrying activities he imposed in six regions following a landslide in Naga City, Cebu that left 20 persons dead and dozens  of others missing.

”Based on the results of the assessment, 90 percent of companies covered by the suspension order can resume operations while the remaining 10 percent need to come up with remedial measures,” Cimatu told a press briefing yesterday.

He ordered a team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to assess these quarry sites.

Cimatu had earlier  suspended quarrying in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao.

Meanwhile, Cimatu named Efren Carido to replace Loreto Alburo as officer in charge of the MGB office in Central Visayas.

Carido, former mine safety, environment and social development division chief of the MGB in Soccsksargen, was tasked to “ensure coordination and the implementation of plans and activities on the ground relative to the landslide. ”