Mayor Sitoy: Inspect alleged quarry area

CEBU, Philippines - Cordova town has requested the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to inspect the area in Barangay Bangbang where illegal quarrying is reported to be undertaken.

“This is to verify kung naay quarrying ba gyud,” said Mayor Adelino Sitoy during a technical conference with concerned parties yesterday.

An ocular inspection is scheduled Tuesday.

Sitoy recently suspended the operations of Solid Stones Center Corporation, a manufacturer of ‘Mactan’ stone tiles and pavers, after he received a letter complaint dated June 30, 2014, which alleged that the company went beyond what is allowed in its Environmental Compliance Certificate, which allows only clearing and leveling.

The complainant, fisher folk organization Naghiusang Mananagat sa Bangbang (NAMASBA), alleged that Solid Stones is engaged in illegal quarrying.

The company conducted leveling in Barangay Bangbang for a proposed subdivision project. This involved cutting, removing, hauling or any manner dealing with stones located in the area.

“Daghang section nga wa nila matuman nga unta gibutang diha nga di sila dapat mag-operate kung di sila kompleto. Pero nag-operate sila,” said Rodrigo Agacita, liason officer of NAMASBA.

During yesterday’s conference, some residents expressed fear that chemicals allegedly being used by the company to soften stones will affect their health.

“Among tubig sa una tab-ang gyud na. Karon parat na man. Natingala na mi kay moparat ra man na kung mahubsan,” said Anselma Degamo, a resident in Bangbang.

Tess Gimenez, Manager of Solid Stones Center Corporation, denied their activities had affected the water and belied reports fishes dying, which she said does not have proof.

Gimenez presented to the residents data sheets and documents that showed the chemical was even brought to United States for evaluation and was found non-hazardous.

Solid Stone Legal counsel Carlo Fortuna, in a separate interview, described the fear of the residents as ‘unreal.’

“Kung tan-awon ninyo ang lugar, layo kaayo ang mabaw nga area. Kanang Bangbang almost 2 hectares pa before molawom ang dagat, shallow nang dapita.. so kining ilang giingon nga tsunami, storm surge, all of these are unfounded fears,” he said, adding that the project started in May after an Environmental Compliance Certificate was issued to Solid Stones. —/JMO (FREEMAN)