PENRO seizes more trucks, multicab with illegal limestone, sand and gravel

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) seized yesterday morning four trucks and one multicab containing limestone and sand and gravel which reportedly were illegally quarried in Toledo city and the town of Compostela.

PENRO chief, Atty. Chad Estella, said that the team from his office and the Civil Security Unit of the Provincial Capitol apprehended the three dumptrucks in a checkpoint in Barangay Magdugo, Toledo city.

According to Estella, the trucks were loaded with sand and gravel which they believe were to be delivered in construction sites in Metro Cebu where the demand is high for the said materials.

The drivers of the trucks reportedly failed to present delivery receipts, a requirement by PENRO for companies operating legal quarrying activities.

All three trucks were confiscated and are now in the custody of Toledo City police station.

Estella earlier said that they are strictly monitoring Toledo City due to the number of reports on illegal quarrying operations.

In fact, Estella said that mining operations in the city is not viable anymore since illegal quarrying activities have posed a significant damage in the       city’s mountains.  Toledo city has long been known for its mining operations.

There are three large-scale mining companies in the city and only one left for small-scale mining.

In Barangay Poblacion in Compostela, a truck carrying sand and gravel and a multicab carrying anapog was also seized yesterday by the CSU team headed by its chief, Loy Madrigal.

According to SPO3 Ernesto Pepito, desk officer of Compostela Police Station, the drivers of the vehicles, namely Alfred Pareja and Felizardo Coitmingao, could not present any delivery receipts.

The failure to present any delivery receipt is a violation of the Provincial ordinance, said Estella.

“Way mga delivery receipt or wala gyuy mga permits. Bisan Sabado o holidays especially kanang gabii ug kaadlawon mao nay ilang operation (There were not delivery receipts nor permits. That is how they operate, even on Saturdays or Holidays, especially at night and dawn),” Estella added.

Based on the Provincial Ordinance regulating the quarrying of sand and gravel, each vehicle that will be caught and seized for the first time will have to pay the fine of P10,000, which is much higher compared to acquiring a proper delivery receipt which would only cost operators P700.

Second time violators will be slapped with a fine of P20, 000 per truck while third time offenders face impounding of their trucks.

Since July this year to September, 66 have already been apprehended in the whole province for illegal quarrying activities.  — (FREEMAN)