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BY RANIE AZUE
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BACOLOD City – There is an upward trend in the number of applications for quarry or small-scale mining operation permit in the province, according to the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).
PEMO head Atty. Wilfred Ramon Peñalosa said the surge in the permit application implies that there are many infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental.
Because of the huge number of permit applications, Peñalosa said PEMO has received several requests for immediate assessment of the state of rivers in the province.
Peñalosa said PEMO will check if rivers in Negros Occidental are still capable of providing mineral resources needed for construction, like sand and gravel.
He stressed that various environmental groups are wary of the impact of many quarry operations to Negros Occidental’s river system.
Peñalosa said they are coordinating with the Environmental Management Bureau, the Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau and other agencies in conducting their assessments.
Peñalosa said PEMO also received complaints on illegal quarry operations in the province. He said the office is already acting on them./PN
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