Company accused of illegal quarrying extends aid to locals

CEBU, Philippines - A company that has been accused of illegal quarrying in Cordova town expressed willingness to extend livelihood assistance to fisherfolks who claimed to have been affected by the leveling project of the company. 

Solid Stones Center Corporation said they intend to help the fisherfolks of Barangay Bangbang in Cordova town.

However, Solid Stone legal counsel Carlo Fortuna made it clear that the assistance is not tantamount to admitting fault to anything but only part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Solid Stones Center Corporation, a manufacturer of ‘Mactan’ stone tiles and pavers, has allegedly been quarrying illegally in the area.

 “If they request it, why not? It is part of the social responsibility. But it was just a suggestion. It did not come from us,” he said.

During a technical conference of the concerned parties last Friday, Cordova officials with Mayor Adelino Sitoy asked the company if it could grant livelihood assistance to the fisherfolks. This got the initial nod from the company’s representatives.

But Rodrigo Agacita, liason officer of Nag-hiusang Mananagat sa Bangbang, said the issue regarding the ‘quarrying’ in the area should be resolved first.

“Sa livelihood, malipay mi but amo sa na i-meeting kay we have group man. Secondary na siguro na kay atong main karon ang complaint to stop operation sa quarrying,” he added.

Sitoy has requested the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to conduct an ocular inspection on Tuesday to verify if there is indeed ‘quarrying’ involved in the operation of the company.

The Solid Stones has been conducting a leveling at the barangay for a proposed subdivision project.

Also during the conference on Friday, some residents also expressed fear of health effects brought by the chemicals reportedly being used by the company to soften stones. They further aired concern that the project will destroy coral stones which can shield them against storm surge.

This was also belied by the company’s representative, saying that the chemicals do not affect and post threat to the water source since it was evaluated in the United States and was proven non-hazardous. They added that the company secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate for the site development and leveling project.

Due of the complaint, Sitoy earlier issued an order which became effective on July 2 temporarily suspending the activities of Solid Stones Center Corporation which include the cutting, removing, and hauling of stones.

“I would like to emphasize the suspension was not because they found fault. The suspension was only because there was a complaint. We need to address this. There is no fault-finding,” Fortuna clarified. (FREEMAN)