Lifting of quarry suspension to be done per site

CEBU, Philippines — The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) will be lifting the ban of quarry operations in Cebu but it  will be done per quarry site and not province-wide.

All small scale quarrying operations were suspended by Governor Hilario Davide III after the Naga City landslide which claimed at least 70 lives.

The Capitol announced that the sites of their permittees will be inspected to ensure that they are compliant with the laws and regulations and do not pose a threat to a nearby community.

As of yesterday, 18 of the 35 sites have been inspected.

 PENRO Chief Jayson Lozano said recommendations have been given to the quarry operators depending on the result of their assessment.

He added the usual observations include the improvement of the benching, an extraction method which results into a staircase shaped quarry site.

"Mas taas, mas delikado," Lozano said.

He added that a maximum height of 10 meters for the lowest bench should be observed.

Each small scale operator has been given a checklist which contains all the things they need to comply.

The duration of the suspension will depend on how much corrective measure the operators need to do.

"Ang uban 30 days, naay 60 days," Lozano said.

On the due date, PENRO will inspect the site again to ensure that the technical corrective measures have been implemented. After the assessment, the Capitol will determine whether or not the suspension of a particular small-scale quarry will be lifted.

The quarry sites which support industries like cement and feed production were visited first.

Seven of the affected small-scale quarry companies are in Naga City. There are two companies in Minglanilla, two in San Fernando, two in Argao, one in Dalaguete, three in Alcantara, four in Consolacion, two in Compostela, two in Danao, two in Carmen, one in Tabogon, two in Medellin, two in Pinamungajan, and one in Asturias.

Lozano explained that only small-scale quarry companies are affected by the governor's order because his authority only covers operators of quarry sites that are less than five hectares. — MBG (FREEMAN)