After massive landslide in Naga: MGB-7 execs axed

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has relieved the top leaders of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 7 following the landslide in Barangay Tinaan in Naga City, Cebu that killed at least 29 people.

"I am relieving the top leaders of MGB...  I will be sending an investigation team to conduct thorough investigation on why and how it happened and what we should do," Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said in a press conference at the City Hall in Naga, Cebu yesterday.

Affected by the order are MGB-7 Director Loreto Alburo, chief geologist Al Emil Berador, supervising geologist Dennis Aleta, and legal officer Gerardo Mahusay.

The four are on floating status.

Cimatu said MGB officers from Manila will take over their posts temporarily during the investigation.

Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong has said that MGB-7 never informed the city that Sitio Sindulan is a landslide prone area, contrary to the agency's statement that they notified the local government unit.

Aside from the relief of the officials, Cimatu also suspended for 15 days the quarry operations in Regions 1, 3, 4A, 5, 7, 10, 11, and 13.

He also placed under suspension the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of Apo Land and Quarry Corporation and issued a cease and desist order on its operations.

At the Capitol, Governor Hilario Davide clarified the province did not issue a permit to ALQC because the company deals directly with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).

MGB is under DENR.

“Akong klarohon ba, kon dunay kalabotan ato ang province sa issuance sa permit, dili, kay kana, that’s a cement plant. Ang ilang ka-deal ana kay DENR kay duna man silay MPSA – Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA),” Davide said.

Davide also suspended all quarry activities of companies covered by the province’s authority, pending investigation of the incident in Naga.

“Akong i-suspend tanan quarry activities effective immediately... Suspend and inspect especially sa area nga naay potential risks. Kay naa may quarry nga dili kaayo (delikado),” Davide said.

Davide said he has instructed Jayson Lozano, the chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), to review all permits issued to the permitees or operators and to identify the places that pose “potential risks.”

Lozano said 35 companies will be affected by the suspension, seven of which are in Naga City, but clarified that only small quarries will be affected by the governor's order because his authority only covers operators whose quarries are less than five hectares.

Aside from the seven in Naga, there are two companies in Minglanilla, two in San Fernando, two in Argao, one in Dalaguete, three in Alcantara, four in Consolacion, two in Compostela, two in Danao, two in Carmen, one in Tabogon, two in Medellin, two in Pinamungajan, and one in Asturias.

He said they will check if the companies are law-abiding – if they observe operation borders, hauling time – even how they treat their employees.

Davide said what happened in Naga is a wakeup call for all local government units to check quarry operations in their areas.

No Direct Stake

Chito Maniago, representative of Apo Land and Quarry Corp., said the quarry firm will heed the order and work closely with DENR-7.

Meanwhile, Cemex Holdings Philippines clarified in an official statement disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange that it does not directly own any equity stake in Apo Land and Quarry Corporation, which holds mining rights at the landslide area in Naga City.

"We understand that the affected site is located within the area covered by mining rights of APO Land & Quarry Corporation (“ALQC”), and that the site is neither an active nor an abandoned quarry area of ALQC," the cement firm said.

Apo Land is a principal raw material supplier of APO Cement Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cemex.

Apo Land and its parent firm, Impact Assets Corp, are not part of Cemex group.

Cemex Asian South East Corp, which is a majority shareholder of Cemex Holdings, owns a minority 40 percent stake in Impact Assets.

Cemex said it has been coordinating with Apo Land "which we understand is closely working with government authorities and the community on their rescue and relief efforts. Updates on this ongoing situation will be provided as may be necessary for the guidance of the public." — JMO (FREEMAN)