Group for Toledo river rehab pushed

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu Provincial Board wants Capitol to create an ad hoc committee that would look after the rehabilitation of the Sapangdaku River in Toledo City following the devastation the river has suffered from the illegal quarrying operations.

Board Member Grecilda Sanchez who represents the third district disclosed that extraction of sand and gravel is still prevalent at the river despite a five-year moratorium issued by the city government in 2013.

During the Provincial Board’s regular session yesterday, Sanchez presented a video, which showed the ‘massive’ destruction of the Sapangdaku River. Residents in the area are reportedly worried that the situation might cause flashfloods.

Board Member Alex Binghay who also represents the Third District suggested that a committee be created to come up with a ‘comprehensive’ rehabilitation plan for the river.

Lawyer Czareem Joseph Estella, chief of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, said a rehabilitation and rechanneling project was initiated during the time of former governor Pablo Garcia but the same did not push through owing to the failure of the contractor to comply with the rechanneling plan.

Because of this failure, Garcia’s successor, daughter Gwendolyn Garcia, suspended the project.

“As of the moment, there is no operation in Sapangdaku. We have not issued any permit in Sapangdaku,” Estella told the Board yesterday.

The PB has invited Estella along with representatives from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Toledo City government to yesterday’s session to shed light on the status of quarrying operations at the river.

Toledo City Councilor James Gaite said the moratorium is still in effect.

On November 4, 2013, the Toledo City Council passed a resolution stopping the sand and gravel extraction at the river because the operation has destroyed the river severely.

Gaite added that the city is eyeing to ‘upgrade’ the resolution to an ordinance.

Edgar Lagarnia, chief of MGB Small-Scale Mining Environment Protection Section, confirmed the destruction on the river embankment.

He assured that the bureau is supportive of the rehabilitation plan, as well as in curbing illegal mining operations in Toledo City.

Estella proposed that the task force also give attention to enforcing the moratorium and for the group to operate 24 hours, considering that illegal quarrying operations reportedly occur often at night.

He explained that the office cannot afford to risk the lives of its personnel to watch over the area during that time.

“There should be a collaborative effort with the province and the barangay, police,” he said.  (FREEMAN)