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[av_heading heading=’Capitol: Stiffer fines for quarry violators ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – Quarry permittees extracting sand and gravel more than what’s permissible face heavy fines or even blacklisting, warned Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
Those illegally quarrying will also be slapped with stiffer fines.
“Taas-taason ta para madudla sila,” said Defensor who warned that unchecked quarrying may lead to the depletion of Iloilo’s sand and gravel.
Reports reached the provincial capitol that some quarry permittees were exceeding the volume of sand and gravel they were allowed to extract mostly from rivers.
The existing fines are P1,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses, said Atty. Arthuro Cangrejo, chief of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s committee on ways and means has started public hearings on the higher fines.
But if he would have his way, Cangrejo said, he would set the minimum penalty at P5,000.
“It was already tackled during the previous public hearing. But we would be seeking pa sang reactions sang stakeholders sa industry,” said Cangrejo.
“The higher, the better. I think it would be subject lang sa limitation set by the Local Government Code. Kun pwede ma-maximize, i-maximize naton,” he said. “Some of them are operating with impunity knowing nga gamay ang penalty kon madakpan sila.”
Fines collected from January to June this year already exceeded PENRO’s 2015 collections, revealed Cangrejo, proving the rampant violations. He, however, did not give figures.
“By the end of the year, we may be able to double our collection of fines,” he added.
The provincial government recently organized a “quarry summit” to address concerns on the depleting sand and gravel deposits in Iloilo’s river systems.
“Bisan wala pa ang quarry summit, nahuman na namon ang desisyon nga pataasan ang penalty kay daw nahikay sila,” said Defensor.
Over-extraction of sand and gravel from rivers is like “killing the goose that lays the golden eggs,” said Cangrejo.
Repeat violators face blacklisting, he warned.
“In fact, I have already recommended to the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board nga kun pwede ini nga mga permittees untaton ang pag-issue sang permit sa ila,” said Cangrejo.
The PENRO chief admitted they do not have enough manpower to stop illegal quarry operations. His office relies heavily on local government units in the monitoring and regulation of sand and gravel extractions.
“Our office has received a lot of complaints against illegal quarry operations but we cannot act on them all. We do not have enough personnel,” Cangrejo explained.
Information or complaints about illegal sand gravel extractions are forwarded to local government units concerned for appropriate action.
Even the concerned barangay councils are alerted, said Cangrejo.
Local government units and barangay councils are PENRO’s “frontlines” in regulating quarry operations, he said.
“Sa mga areas nga may illegal quarrying, nagapadala kita sang Notice of Violation,” said Cangrejo.
In 2015, there were 95 quarry permitees in the province; this year there’s 51, he revealed.
Illegal quarrying of sand and gravel is reportedly rampant in the towns of Calinog, Janiuay, Cabatuan, and Alimodian./PN
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