Team vs illegal mining formed
Cebu City government has created an AntiIllegal Mining Local Enforcement Team to run after illegal quarry operators in the city’s upland barangays.
The team was formed through an Executive Order No. 028, which Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed on November 2, pursuant to the City Ordinance 2115 (Cebu City Mining Ordinance).
The employees from the Office of the Mayor will compose the enforcement team.
The team will conduct periodic inspection of permit holders, and conducts roadside inspection of vehicles, trucks, and other conveyances carrying mineral products.
The team can also apprehend drivers and impound vehicles for failing to provide delivery and transportation permits, among others.
The members are required to submit their operations’ reports, and recommend policies and programs to further strengthen the city’s anti-illegal mining campaign to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Office of the Mayor, and City Mining Regulatory Board.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the illegal quarrying operations in the mountain villages, particularly Barangay Binaliw, have become a major concern of the city.
“Before it was not a big issue but now it is. Primarily, they are destroying our roads, guba gyud ang dalan. Why should the city government spend P20 million to fix that (damaged roads)?” he said.
Aside from damaging road networks, he said, illegal quarries will also destroy riverbanks, hills, and mountains.
“I presume Barangay Captain (Wilson Bacor) is making a lot of money because he is not ashamed to his own constituents that quarry operators are destroying the roads,” he said.
In August this year, the city government impounded three dump trucks loaded with filling materials after the drivers failed to present pertinent permits to the Peace and Order (POP) local enforcement team.
The CCENRO also issued a cease and desist order against alleged illegal quarry site owned by Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares.
CDOs were also issued against two quarry operators in Barangays Binaliw and Pulang Bato.
CO 2115 regulates the extraction, taking, and disposal of filing materials.
Section 17 of the City Ordinance authorizes the mayor to appoint or designate employees as his deputized personnel in the implementation of said legislation.
Also, Section 17 of the Local Government Code further empowers the provinces and cities to enforce small-scale mining laws and other laws on the protection of the environment subject to the supervision, control, and review of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
KBQ