Cemex: Environment is “dear to us”

CEBU, Philippines - Cemex Philippines denied being negligent in its duties to protect the environment even as it admitted actively quarrying a vast mountainous area of the City of Naga.

“Taking care of the environment is something dear and precious to us,” said Chito Maniago, Cemex Philippines’ corporate communications and public affairs director.

Maniago said the company “did a lot” when it comes to environmental compliance.

Maniago’s statement came after Cemex was blamed for the city’s balding mountains. Jenevy Patalingjug, the firm’s environment, health and safety officer, said that while they have been mining in Naga for decades, they have not been remiss in their responsibilities to reforest the mined out portions. Proof of which, she said, is the several pocket forests inside the 192-hectare property of Cemex.

The biggest of this forest is the 10-hectare Sindulan Rehabilitation Area, which after it was closed for mining in 2004 has been planted with different trees like Narra.

Patalingjug said it only took them less than a year to fill the whole 10 hectares with seedlings through the help of their employees and the city government. With constant care, and nine years after, this area was filled with vegetation and species like birds and other animals. Tilapias also thrive in the man-made pond in the middle of this property. Patalingjug said the tilapias are now easy prey for monitor lizards, which also grow abundant in their forests.

The bird’s eyeview of Cemex’ quarry site may look bad to an ordinary person, but Patalingjug said with the kind of soil that comprises these mountains, not much trees of value that can be saved here.

 â€œSo it’s not fair to say we make these mountains go bald. If at all, after mining them, we make them over and above their original form,” she said.

Patalingjug said prior to planting the mined out lands with trees, they have to cover the surface with loam soil and fertilizer so the trees would grow, as without these materials she doubts if the trees or even the grasses would survive. This side of Naga is rich with limestone rocks, which Cemex is mining to be made into raw materials for its cement.

Also, Patalinghug said they have been in the mining business since 1921 and there has been no report of landslide ever since. She said even before the environmental laws were made, which was just a few years back, mitigating measures have already been in place in the area to ensure safety not only to the workers but also to the neighboring residents. Patalingjug, in a tour to Cemex property, showed to the media the silting ponds of the company which is built to catch rainwater.

The mining company has a total of 48 silt ponds, which Patalingjug said, are being monitored especially during deluge. And so far, none of these have overflowed to cause disaster, otherwise their plants, which are situated right below the quarry site, would be the first casualty, she said.

Patalingjug said they have always given emphasis to the “responsible mining” activities not only as mere compliance with the existing laws but also as preventive measures and protection to their working environment.  (FREEMAN)