Capitol steps up fight against unlawful sand, gravel hauling

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Government has intensified its campaign against illegal hauling of sand and gravel in Cebu’s northern and southern cities and towns.

According to the Cebu-Public Information Office, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office have collected P 376,807 in fines for June 2014 from illegal sand and gravel haulers in five cities and seven towns alone.

The Cebu-PIO report said the amount was from penalties of 36 violators caught red-handed hauling sand and gravel for commercial purposes. These haulers were reportedly from construction and mining companies.  The fines range from P10,000 to P10,700, depending on the gravity of the offense.

PENRO Officer-in-Charge Czareem Joseph Estella, as quoted by Cebu-PIO, said they are continuously monitoring such activities from all over the province.

Estella said their team caught these offenders delivering their haul – mostly sand and gravel and sometimes limestones – to the cities of Carcar, Talisay, Naga, Toledo and Mandaue and in the towns of Catmon, Carmen, Consolacion, Liloan, Malabuyoc and Oslob.

The PENRO official said the apprehension is conducted if the haulers could not present the necessary documents such as a delivery receipt, a Provincial Treasurer’s Office sticker, a permit and other documents.

The arrests made by PENRO are supported by ordinance No. 2008-10 or the Revenue Code of Cebu of 2008.  (FREEMAN)