Landowner raps construction firm for limestone quarrying

CEBU, Philippines - A landowner has accused the proprietor of construction firm of allegedly violating the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued for a project the construction firm was commissioned for.

On September 19, complainant Peter Po filed a report before the Talamban Police Station alleging that Remegio Oyao of Oyamors Builders had quarried in his property to extract limestone locally known as “anapog.”

Po said he engaged into a joint project with the University of San Carlos- Talamban Campus for which Oyao’s firm was commissioned to bulldoze portions of his property to build an access road. It was reportedly agreed that the limestone that would be extracted from the road project would go to Oyao.

While the road project is reportedly covered by an ECC, Oyao allegedly violated the ECC by purposely quarrying for limestone beyond the area covered by the certificate.

Po also reported the matter to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Po said that on September 16, he sent a letter for Oyao to stop his operation but the latter allegedly refused to receive the notice and even threatened field supervisor who delivered it.

The notice said that Oyao was to stop his operation starting September 17 while the parties involved in the joint venture await the revised development plan.

Christopher Acabo, field supervisor of A&J Security and Investigation Agency, also reported the incident to the Talamban Police. Acabo said he was escorted by security guard Butcher Insiniales at that time.

Oyao even allegedly said, “Dili ko mudawat ana. Buang na ug utok si Peter. Ako ning pakamatyan ning yutaa kay dako na ko’g damage diri. Basin maunay na siya sa ingram nga iyang gibaligya nga mahal kaayo.”

“Bisan kinsa ang inyong ipadala, dili ko mahadlok. Kun gusto niya, ipapusil na lang ko para wala na siya kontra. Nagpa-quarry siya, wala siya’y bayad-bayad. Ang iyang gusto mudawat la’g limpyo, ipareha niya sa plaza nga limpyo na kaayo,” Oyao allegedly said further.

The FREEMAN tried to call Po and Oyao for an interview but both were not available. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)