Cimatu orders a stop to all quarry operations in eight regions, relieves MGB-7 officials
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu today ordered a halt to all quarry operations in eight regions of the country and to have their safety assessed.
Cimatu announced the suspension during a press conference in Naga City, Cebu, following a landslide that occurred near a quarry site in Sitio Sindulan, Brgy. Tinaan.
The regions covered by the suspension order are Ilocos, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga.
“The suspension will be effective until such time that the review and assessment of quarry operations are completed, [including] surrounding communities as far as their safety from the impact of the quarry operations and geohazards is concerned,” Cimatu said.
Likewise, the DENR chief also ordered a review and assessment of all quarry operations nationwide to determine the safety of their operations and of surrounding communities.
Earlier, Cimatu announced the creation of a team of technical personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) “to conduct a thorough and independent investigation and check why [the landslide] happened, how it happened, and what we should do.”
He also announced the relief of four officials of the MGB regional office in Cebu, namely, Director Loreto Alburo, Chief Administrative and Finance Officer Atty. Jerry Mahusay, chief geologist Al Emil Berador, and supervising geologist Dennis Aleta.
Cimatu said the investigating team would look into the accountability of the four officials regarding the landslide.
Earlier today, Cimatu has also ordered the Environmental Management Bureau to suspend the Environmental Compliance Certificate of Apo Land and Quarry Corporation.
The environment chief called for immediate evacuation of remaining residents in the area, proposing that they be relocated in an area at least a kilometer away from the danger zone.
He described the site as “volatile”, which could lead to further soil slippage. ###
DENR press releases and other news/feature articles are posted at the DENR website: www.denr.gov.ph. For queries/comments, write: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Latest News
- 12 million Seedlings at NGP sites in Agusan del Norte hang on dry months
- Top star-studded military generals witness mayors ink commitment on clean river in Surigao del Sur
- DENR secures nesting ground of Giant Sea Turtle in Agusan Norte
- DENR notes zero smuggling of illegal lumbers at Nasipit Port
- RED’s Mindanao Cluster gives priority on watershed and clean river
- Two seasoned PENRO placed in timber poaching “hot spots”
- 2019 Arbor Day Celebration
- DENR 13 top exec eyes regular visit of NGP sites
- Cimatu urges youth to join efforts to prevent biodiversity loss
- Cimatu orders a stop to all quarry operations in eight regions, relieves MGB-7 officials
- Cimatu warns against keeping wild animals as pets
- Gov’t to declare more mineral reservation areas soon—DENR
- ASEAN moves towards poverty eradication and localizing global goals
- BIATF MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE CARRYING CAPACITY AND BORACAY REOPENING
- Cimatu urges public to be vigilant for landslides, floods
Mga Bag-ong Balita
- Agila ginganlan ug Sakura
- DENR – pag-isyu sa emission permit para sa mga bag-ong sakyanan anaa na online
- DENR GIDASIG ANG MGA NEGOSYANTE ARON MAMUHUNAN SA KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS
- DENR nag-implementa sa pagkunserbar sa threatened species sa nasud
- DENR gipakusgan ang paggamit sa hinlo nga krudo sa mga sakyanan