Groups call on LGUs to suspend quarrying in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Cause-oriented groups in Cebu have demanded from the local government units to continue the suspension of all quarrying activities in the province.

As this developed, 17 lawyers have volunteered to render their services in a law suit they would be filing against those accountable in the Naga landslide incident last month.

Lawyer Ben Cabrido, who is also an environmentalist, said they have already gathered statements from about 30 affected residents and victims.

“This Sunday will be the final day of interview of victims. After collation, I'll work on the complaint pleading. Hopefully we can file it (by) November 5,” he said.

The groups also call on the Cebu provincial government and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office to stop issuing permits for their operations.

Nador Malicay, vice president for Visayas of the Anakpawis partylist, said these quarrying activities affect largely the agricultural sector, as some lands had reportedly been used as quarry sites.

Some groups here particularly from the fishery and farmers sector converged to hold the two-day march protest dubbed as “Baktas sa mga Kabus batok sa Kagutom, Dislokasyon, Pagdaot sa Kinaiyahan, ug Pagpangmig-ot.”

Joining the rally were members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Panaghugpong sa mga Gagmayng Mananagat sa Sugbo and Amihan or the peasant women from Cebu.

Among their rally cry is to stop the destruction of the environment and to address hunger, especially from the “poorest” sector in the society – the farmers and fishermen.

Malicay said quarrying should be stopped here in Cebu, especially that these has been mushrooming in various localities.

Malicay alleged that several hectares of agricultural land have been transformed into quarrying sites, such as the estimated 80 hectares in Naga City, 15 hectares in Pinamungajan, 50 hectares in Minglanilla and over 1,000 hectares in Asturias.

He also claimed that quarrying is also prevalent in the cities of Talisay and Toledo and the towns of Tuburan and Argao.

The groups on Thursday staged a picket protest from the regional office of the Department of Agriculture in Mandaue City, and then dropped by the National Food Authority warehouse before they headed to the Capitol where they had an overnight stay.

The next day, they marched the stretch of Osmeña Boulevard going to Gaisano Metro Colon, where they held their main program.

As a conclusion, protesters destroyed and burned down a devil-like effigy which they depict that of President Duterte symbolizing their condemnation of his “anti-poor” policies that greatly affected the farmers and fishermen. — GAN (FREEMAN)