Janiuay mayor seeks SP help on inaction vs quarry operators
Mayor Bienvenido Margarico of Janiuay, Iloilo has now sought the intervention and assistance of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan relative to two formal complaints filed against two quarry operators in said town.
In a letter sent to the 9th Iloilo SP, Mayor Margarico decried what he said were longtime unresolved concerns here filed before the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). The mayor's complaint centered on the continued operation of the quarry concessions granted to one Nicolas Solinap and Enrico Macalalag.
Both, the mayor averred, violated provisions of the Provincial Quarry Ordinance with Solinap's operation in Barangay Damo-ong and Macalalag at Barangay Guadalupe.
"Until now, their complaints were not acted accordingly and the violators were not penalized in accordance with the penal provisions of such Ordinance. If penalty has been imposed, they have not received any information or update regarding the sanctions that were imposed to the violators," the SP indorsement as reflected in today's agenda went. "Moreover, the PENRO informed them that the pictures they have submitted are not sufficient enough to prove their violations. They are asking this August Body to find solution to this problem and advise the PENRO to be fair in dealing with this problem because other permitee informed him that if ever they have committed violations, immediately the PENR imposed penalty."
The Janiuay concern is first to be tackled in today's regular session.
To recall, quarry operations here have long raised concerns of the municipal officials with the activity blamed on destruction to its river embankments and the condition of the Suage River.
Concerted "Help Save the Suage River, Help Save the Suage Bridge" efforts were launched with local officials on the lead of the campaign.