OVER-QUARRYING CONCERN RAISED
There are 63 pending quarrying applications that are up for approval by the city council
Davao City councilors expressed concern on over-quarrying and long-term effects to the environment after receiving more requests for additional allowable use for quarry operations.
While Councilor Rene Elias Lopez read item 1224, an application of quarry operation in Calinan District, city councilors Jesus Joseph Zozobrado and Maria Belen Acosta called the attention of the City Council about the risks in permitting 63 quarry operations applications in the city.
“The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) is the primary agency which will be able to process this, but according to them, there is no existing policy yet as to the number of quarries that could be granted,” Lopez said, adding that there are no directives set by the executive department on the maximum number of permits that could be granted.
Meanwhile, Interface Development Interventions (Idis), Inc. executive director Chinkee Golle said in a phone interview yesterday, said that they strongly oppose quarry operations as there have been no rehabilitation processes made by these operations.
“For the LGU (local government unit), it is really a challenge para ma-closely monitored ang mag-quarry [operations],” Golle said, adding that this is to ensure minor effects on the environment.
“Sige ta’g ingon na wala tay mina diri but in terms of sand and gravel quarrying grabe gyud kaayo (We always say that we do not have mining operations here in the city yet there are more sand and gravel quarry operations),” she said.
Golle said they have proposed to convene all quarry operators in the city to submit a commitment on proper rehabilitation of their areas, however, it was not approved.
“Kailangan gyud magdugang ug tao na magtutok sa monitoring and maghatag ug mga sanction ana (The city needs to add more people to monitor these operations and provide sanctions for violators),” she said.
CHINKEE GOLLE
Sige ta’g ingon na wala tay mina diri but in terms of sand and gravel quarrying grabe gyud kaayo
Idis executive director