Labella: Illegal quarries in Cebu City pose risk to lives, properties

CEBU City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella has directed the City Mining and Regulatory Board (CCMRB) to “expeditiously act” on small scale quarrying activities in the northern barangays in Cebu City.

Labella said residents of Barangay Kalunasan, Binaliw and Pulangbato raised their fears of possible soil erosion as quarrying activities in their areas have destroyed the roads.

Labella said he personally visited the affected areas and saw the risk brought by the quarries to the lives and properties of the residents.

Considering the limestone composition of the mountains that surround Cebu City, Labella said it will further hasten the erosion in the mountain barangays.

Labella has already sent a formal letter to CCMRB chairperson Loreto Alburo to look into the situation.

“With the city’s policy to ensure the preservation of the environment as well as the advancement of the rights of its inhabitants to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, I submit that the concerns raised by these residents are valid and should be acted promptly through the remedies provided for by the ordinance and other pertinent environmental laws,” a portion of Labella’s letter reads.

Labella added that should quarrying project continues in the area, it would also aggravate the flooding problem in the urban city.

Earlier this week, a cease and desist order has been issued to an illegal quarrying site in Barangay Kalunasan operated by its village chief.

The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office has also endorsed at least three cease and desist orders to the City Legal Office for illegal quarry operations in the northern barangays of the ccity.