Vessel carrying sand sans permits held

CEBU, Philippines — A cargo ship carrying a 1000-cubic meter of fine sand from Misamis Oriental was intercepted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in port of Talibon town, Bohol.

Officials found out that the vessel's transport permit already expired. Also, the vessel operator had no clearance to transport raw minerals.

Seaman First Phillip Michael Tan of Coast Guard Station (CGS) in Bohol said the local DENR office requested them to hold the departure of Landing Craft Tank (LCT) Poseidon 30 of Concrete Solutions, Inc. pending an ongoing inquiry.

He said the 18 crew, including the ship captain, are still aboard the vessel, which docks at Talibon port.

DENR-Bohol, through its Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, is coordinating with the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau office to discuss the appropriate actions in dealing with the apprehended vessel and sand.

Tan said the composite team of coast guard sub-station in Talibon and DENR-Bohol issued to the vessel operator violation of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 for allegedly stealing raw minerals.

He recalled that a joint inspection was done last October 8 at 12 noon when LCT Poseidon 30 berthed at Talibon port.

He said the vessel and the lump of fine sand reportedly came from Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental and was really heading for Bohol.

Tan explained that as a standard procedure, the DENR enforcement unit has to coordinate with the concerned PCG sub-station in conducting an inspection of minerals transported through ships.

Local authorities have vowed to curb illicit transport of raw minerals. (FREEMAN)