ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. urged the public to report to authorities illegal quarry operations and be bold to become witnesses.
He was reacting to alleged illegal sand and gravel quarrying in barangays Dalid and Ginomoy in Alimodian town.
According to Defensor, too often in the past, the charges filed by the provincial government against illegal quarry suspects did not prosper due to lack of evidence and witnesses.
“It’s better if there are witnesses who canexecutive affidavits and are willing to testify. Having a photo of video of the illegal quarry is not enough,” said Defensor.
To those alleging illegal sand and gravel quarrying in barangays Dalid and Ginomoy in Alimodian town, he said, “You come forward. Tagaan ninyo ako sang bala kay kon indi, indi mag-progreso ang amon imbestigasyon.”
Defensor also said the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) is constantly checking rivers to ensure there are no illegal quarrying of sand gravel and no over-extraction of these materials.
PENRO officer-in-charge Atty. Arturo Cangrejo said information reached his office that some quarry operators were quarrying even beyond their designated areas.
His office verified some of these and issued notices of violation and cease and desist orders, said Cangrejo.
“We are reminding and ordering the quarry permit holders to abide by the provisions of their contracts,” said Cangrejo.
The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Calinog town recently urged the PENRO to investigate what it alleged to be an illegal quarry in the municipality’s Barangay Ipil.
The SB submitted photos of the quarry site and a resolution it passed on Oct. 14, 2019 yet requesting for a probe./PN
