Central Visayas mines bureau execs sacked

MANILA, Philippines — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the relief of the chief and three other officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Central Visayas in connection with a landslide in Naga City, Cebu that left at least 20 people dead and dozens missing last Thursday.

Ordered relieved were MGB-Region 7 director Loreto Alburo, chief geologist Al Emil Berador, supervising geologist Emil Aleta and chief administrative and finance officer lawyer Gerry Mahusay.

Cimatu also ordered a 15-day suspension of quarry operations in the regions of Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga until such time that the review and assessment of the quarry operation areas are completed.

“There is also a need to check on surrounding communities as far as safety is concerned,” he said.

The official also issued a cease and desist order to stop operations of APO Cement until investigation is completed and quarry sites are assessed. 

“I will be sending investigation team to conduct thorough investigation on why and how it happened and what should be done to address the issue,” Cimatu said.

To prevent a similar incident from happening, he ordered the MGB and the Environmental Management Bureau central office to create a team composed of technical personnel from the two agencies to be headed by the MGB.

Cimatu said the team would investigate the cause of the landslide.

“They have also been tasked to conduct re-assessment of the geological hazard in Barangay Tina-an and the surrounding areas in Naga City, Cebu.”

The team was also ordered to suspend the environmental compliance certificate of APO Cement until probe is completed.