Labella to Mining Board: Act on illegal quarry reports

CEBU, Philippines - Citing concerns raised by a number of concerned citizens and having seen for himself the operation of illegal quarries, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella has ordered the City Mining Regulatory Board to act on illegal quarrying operations in barangays Kalunasan, Pulangbato, and Binaliw.

In the letter dated yesterday addressed to Mining Board Chairman Loreto Alburo, Labella told the board to "expeditiously" act on this concern.

"As the principal author of City Ordinance 2115 or the Cebu City Mining Ordinance, I submit that the concerns raised by these residents are valid and should be acted promptly by the City Government through the remedies provided for the ordinance and other pertinent environmental laws," the letter read.

The complaints received by Labella from concerned citizens claimed there is ongoing quarrying of minerals in the three barangays, all part of Cebu’s north district, which might cause soil erosion and aggravate flooding.

Aside from this, the operation of the quarry sites allegedly inflicted damage on the public roads.

Labella said that the mining board should act on the complaint, as the city government is obligated to ensure the preservation and protection of the said minerals.

He said that after he received the complaints, he visited the areas and saw for himself that the reports were true.

Labella also said that the complaints raised by the concerned residents were also endorsed to the City Legal Office for appropriate legal intervention.

The letter addressed to Alburo was copy furnished to the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

CCENRO Executive Assistant Lito Vasquez said they are now endorsing at least three cease and desist orders to the City Legal Office against illegal quarry operators in Pulangbato and Binaliw subject for review.

These quarry sites allegedly operate without securing the necessary permits from the city.

Just recently, they served a cease and desist order on a quarry site allegedly owned by Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares for reportedly engaging in hauling minerals without delivery receipts and hauling permits. (FREEMAN)