Quarry ban pushed in Sapangdaku River

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) recommended the suspension of the issuance of sand and gravel quarry permits in the entire stretch of Sapangdaku River in Toledo City.

PENRO chief Czareem Joseph Estella submitted yesterday his recommendation and a draft of Executive Order for signature of Governor Hilario Davide III in response to the call of Toledo City officials.

"The planned E.O. is in line also with the clamor of some environmental groups advocating environment protection in Cebu," said Estella.

Davide, however, is still in Pangasinan until Friday.

Estella said that since Davide assumed office on June 30, 2013, the provincial government has not issued any permit in Sapangdaku River.

The Toledo City Government has strongly pushed for the total ban of all sand and gravel quarry operations in the Sapangdaku River.

The City Council earlier passed a resolution for the immediate stopping of all sand and gravel quarrying operations or activities in the entire Sapangdaku River for the next five years saying that the activity has greatly damaged the river, riverbed, and riverbanks.

However, Toledo City Mayor John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña said the problem is that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been continuously issuing industrial permits to quarry operators.

Osmeña said that there is also a problem in the enforcement of laws by the PENRO.

PENRO is tasked to approve and release permits for small-scale mining sites or those that only have five hectares or less of mining land, while the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR is responsible for giving permits to large-scale mining companies.

PENRO has been conducting checkpoints against hauling of illegally extracted sand and gravel but Osmeña observed the activities are still ongoing.

Osmeña said that the total ban could easily facilitate the implementation of the law and the operators can no longer use the DENR-issued permit to defend their illegal activities. —/FPL (FREEMAN)