Leon locals seek SP help anew to protect brgy, stop quarry operations
A recurring problem on quarry operations in one Iloilo barangay once again banded locals to seek action of the Capitol.
“Help us stop quarrying in our barangay,” came the plea of villagers in Barangay Buga, Leon, Iloilo. The latest move came in the heels of October’s Resolution of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) setting prohibitions on quarry operations in said locality.
In a letter cum petition, Barangay Buga residents called for particular SP attention on the renewal of quarry application of one Engineer Ronilo Camarista. Specifics of the quarry renewal permit sought was for a Commercial-Industrial sand and gravel operation.
Added to the dilemma of the locals was the May 2009 barangay backing the permit got as per Barangay Councilo Resolution No. 2009-013.
The petitioner-locals decried the alleged lack of public hearing in endorsing Camarista’s request.
To recall, it was only September 2008 when Buga residents also called on the provincial government to heed the community’s plea against continued quarrying here. In a petition letter, the appeal was made by officials and hundreds of residents of Barangay Buga then addressed to Capitol’s Soledad Sucaldito, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO).
Led by Buga Barangay Captain George Cabado Sr., barangay folks manifested strong opposition to the quarry application of one Asuncion Sepida. Continued quarrying in said barangay of sand and gravel caused the damage of river control project here, the locals then argued.
Further still, the area being applied for by Sepida is within the one-kilometer radius of the government’s river control project and the Inguan Bridge.
Pictures of damaged farmlands and condition of the riverbed affected by massive quarrying here in the past were also attached to the petition.
“Dapat amligan naton ang dunang manggad para sa aton pala-abuton (We should protect our natural resources for our future),” the Petition ended.
Copies of the signed Petition were sent to Leon Mayor Romulo Cabana, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and the SP led by Vice Governor Rolex Suplico. Also furnished were members of the Leon Municipal Council and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office 6.
A month later in October 2008, Committee Report No. 2008-12 presented by Board Member Mariano Malones sealed off the application of Sepida.
Opinion of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) was sought alongside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office 6.
Among the major discovery was that the quarry site applied for was within the 700 meters upstream from the Inguan Bridge and the Buga River control dike. DPWH Iloilo sub-engineering office issued a clearance however higher ups in the regional office clarified the matter.
“...despite a clearance... laws cited by the DPWH regional office showed that the quarry site was prohibited under Section 10 (d) and Section 15 of the Mines Administrative Order No. MRD – 27, Series of 1980 pursuant to PD 263 as amended by PD Nos. 1385 and 1677,” excerpts of the report went.