Cease and desist order issued vs DPWH contractor

PALO, Leyte – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) based in Brgy. Candahug here has issued a cease-and-desist order against a private contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its illegal quarrying activities in Tacloban City.

MGB Regional Director for Eastern Visayas, Alilo C. Ensomo Jr. issued the order to EZ Jones Construction,Inc. proprietor Gilda U. Quilla with office at Sitio Buchasan, Brgy. Canawayon, Catarman, Northern Samar.

EZ Jones Construction is the DPWH contractor of the million Caibaan-San Gerardo-Nulatula bypass road in Tacloban City, which has been accused by MGB-8 for its alleged illegal quarrying operation in Barangay Abucay, Tacloban City.

Ensomo told Manila Bulletin that based on their findings last June 22, 2015, the quarry operation of the DPWH contractor is illegal as the operation has no proper permit.

He said the cease and desist order will be enforced until the contractor gets the necessary quarry permits issued by the various concerned government agencies.

He has asked the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the city government of Tacloban to help in the operation against illegal quarry operation in Tacloban City.

Sources told Manila Bulletin that the area being illegally quarried in a mountainous area in Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City is timberland. The activity, they say, could very well cause landslides with disastrous effects on residents of Brgy. Abucay, this city.