BY EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City – Private individuals are allegedly quarrying sand and gravel in Sipalay City’s Barangay Nabulao without the necessary permit.
The Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) vowed to investigate this information from the villagers themselves.
The quarrying was allegedly taking place at the village river, according to PEMO chief Ramon Peñalosa.
If the residents were to be believed, about 80 trucks were making trips to the village to haul sand and gravel.
The quarried materials were allegedly being delivered to a private construction site in the neighboring barangay of Talakagay in Hinobaan town.
“Quarries need a permit from the local and provincial governments,” said Peñalosa.
Nabulao village chief Mauricio Canete said their barangay council passed a resolution requesting the city government of Sipalay to dredge the area because residents feared the quarrying would trigger flooding.
Canete also said he is willing to testify against public officials who allowed the illegal quarrying.
The barangay council has not issued a quarry permit to anyone, he stressed./PN
