DENR seizes limestone from 'illegal quarry' in Consolacion

CEBU - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 yesterday apprehended two dump trucks hauling quarried limestone in its attempt to stop the reported illegal quarrying activities in Consolacion allegedly spearheaded by Mayor Avelino Gungob Sr.

Mario Bacus, engineer II of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7, led the apprehension of the dump trucks with plate numbers SHX 106 and JCF 843.

The first truck was stopped in Purok San Roque, barangay Lamac while the second was apprehended in barangay Landag on its way to the town proper.

At the mayor’s office, Bacus explained to Gungob that the dump truck drivers failed to show delivery receipts.

The mayor reasoned out that he had long applied for an Environmental Compliance Certificate but DENR-7 refused to issue him one “out of political reason”.

Meanwhile, MGB officer-in-charge Roger de Dios confirmed that while the mayor has indeed filed for an ECC for a 12-meter road opening, he failed to apply for a quarrying permit.

Further, de Dios explained that Gungob was not granted the ECC because he reportedly failed to comply with all of the requirements.

It was learned that Gungob, under his term, used the quarried limestone to construct the town’s terminal. This time, the limestone will be used for the government center project undergoing construction since 2001.

“Gisakitan gyod ko pero wa ko’y mahimo. But I’ll just keep on doing this kay para ni sa tanan. This is my leadership,” Gungob said. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)