CEBU, Philippines - As part of the measures to prevent illegal quarrying activities, they city government will be strictly monitoring all developments, including drainage and fencing plans in the city.
City Planning and Development Coordinator Nigel Paul Villarete said that he issued an Office Memorandum directing all new applications for development permits, fencing permits, including drainage plans will now have to include an affidavit bearing two conditions.
“One condition is that there will be no implementation of earth moving activities and (another is) there should be no transport of excavated materials from the property, or else, they will have to secure permission from the City Mining Board (CMB) by getting a quarry permit,” Villarete said.
Through these requirements, the city can strictly monitor all developments and make sure illegal quarrying activities are prevented.
To those who were issued permits already, Villarete said what they will do is make constant monitoring and will not hesitate to file cases and impose penalties on violators.
Acting Mayor Michael Rama recently ordered the review of all issued development permits following reports that there are some who get development or fencing permits but were making it as a front for quarrying.
Most of these illegal mining activities were reportedly done in the mountain barangays of the north district and a few are in the southern part.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has already called the attention of the Cebu City Government on the rampant illegal quarrying in the mountain barangays particularly in Talamban area.
Although the MGB is the regulating body, it said the implementation of small scale mining is already devolved to the local government units, thus the creation of the City Mining Board.
Rampant and unregulated quarrying are among the main causes of flooding and landslides. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)