Capitol clamps down on illegal quarrying

THE Cebu provincial government has stepped up its campaign against illegal quarrying by deploying mobile checkpoints in areas where sand and other mineral resources are extracted.

Due to the regular inspections, the province’s environment and natural resources office (PENRO) has already scored 370 apprehensions from January to August, according to its head, Chad Estella.

The number is relatively higher compared to the total of 170 arrests made by the environment task force in 2012 and 2013.

He said most of the arrests were due to the lack of transportation permits of trucks owned by small-scale miners.

“Before, the arrests were just merely for the purpose of compliance. Now, I stressed to the team that they have to make arrests. I will not entertain any excuses,” he told reporters in a press conference.

Last Friday, Estella and the Capitol’s disaster and risk management head Baltazar Tribunalo presented the accomplishments of their respective offices entering the last quarter of 2014.

Estella attributed the increase on arrests to the mobile team that goes around the province regularly for inspections.

He said a number of local government units (LGUs) have coordinated with his office in the operations.

Illegal quarrying

PENRO is tasked to approve and release permits for small scale mining sites wherein quarrying is only limited to five hectares and below.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) holds the authority for giving permits to large scale mining companies.

Estella said he hopes the arrests will help curb illegal quarrying in the province’s riverbanks.

Last year, the province declared a ban on mining in Toledo City in south Cebu due to the damage the activity has caused to its rivers, waterways and mountains.