Maambong joins Quisumbing on Kimhee application check

Provincial Board member Victor Maambong vows to work with PB member Gabriel Luis Quisumbing on the gathering of more information and pertinent papers first at the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the application status of a realty company seeking permit to explore mineral products in Cordova town and Lapu-Lapu City.

Maambong, chairman of the committee on environment, joins Quisumbing who earlier promised to look into the reports of unabated quarrying of Mactan stones and the pending application of Kimhee Realty Corporation at the DENR.

Maambong said he already knew of the application of Kimhee Realty when the story was first published in The FREEMAN after residents in Cordova town demonstrated strong opposition to the application.

"Sutaon nato kon unsa na gayud ang status sa ilang aplikasyon (We will do a thorough check on the status of their application)," Maambong said.

Kimhee Realty applied for an exploration permit at barangays Day-as and Buagsong in Cordova to determine the quality and volume of limestone and other mineral resources there that may be of use in construction and industrial purposes.

The target areas for the proposed exploration reportedly covered 709.7 hectares, but town officials suspected said exploration would include portions of Lapu-Lapu City, as shown on the map of the DENR.

Cordova town officials and non-government organizations jointly opposed Kimhee's application contending that the explorations alone would directly affect the environment and threaten the health and safety of residents. - Jose P. Sollano