BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Officials in Negros Occidental are proposing a two-year moratorium on all quarry operations in the province.
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said he will push for the suspension of quarrying if proven that this contributed to the destructive floods that hit several towns and cities early this month.
The provincial government is set to conduct ocular inspections of about 200 mountain and river quarry operations.
These aerial surveys will determine if catch basins in the mountainous areas were damaged, causing them to overflow and flood the lowlands.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Andrew Montelibano of the 3rd District will lead the inspection.
Allegations of environmental abuses by quarry operators were brought to the SP’s attention, leading Montelibano to vow to review all quarry permits and be strict in the issuance of new ones.
“There is a need to balance the development of our infrastructures and the protection of our river systems. We build something but we destroy something, too,” he stressed.
Next week representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are expected to provide the SP with more insights on what caused the recent flooding, and present sustainable solutions.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier announced he will review the permits granted to quarry operators.
The assessment, according to Lacson, will be in coordination with all concerned local government units.
“Because many areas are now made of concrete and impermeable materials, there is limited ground for water to seep in when there is a heavy rain,” the governor said.
He reiterated that, “There should be no conflict between economic growth and the protection of the environment.”
Lacson likewise appealed to Negrenses to follow proper waste disposal or the flooding will happen again./PN
