Due to multiple violations: City government stops Pardo quarry

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has formally enforced a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against an unauthorized quarrying and land development operation at sitio Mahayahay in Barangay Poblacion Pardo, citing multiple violations of city ordinances and regulatory requirements.

The Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team, in coordination with the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), carried out the order, following a three-day grace period granted after the serving of the CDO on August 4.

On Thursday morning, August 7, PROBE personnel installed tarpaulins and public warning signage at the site to mark the illegal area and alert residents to report any continued activity.

The tarpaulin posted at the site reads: “This quarry and land development activity is hereby ordered to cease from its operation. For operating without a development permit, excavation permit, failure to post building permit, and construction information sign, and for violation of Section 1(4), Article VI of the City Ordinance No. 1656, otherwise known as the Cebu City Zoning Ordinance.”

Raquel Arce, head of the Cebu City Transportation Office and temporary overseer of PROBE, explained to The Freeman the timeline and rationale behind the enforcement.

“Dugay na na nga operation, panahon pa man gani na ni Edgar Labella (late Mayor of Cebu City) … Gasige pa gyud na sila, road man na siya, mag-establisar ug dan ba, so mag quarry gyud ka kay bukid man. Ang bukid gibuhatag dan ba… from Pardo to Toong, mao na ang project.”

She clarified that while the CDO was signed weeks earlier, its implementation was delayed.

“Ang cease and desist was signed in July unya dugay naguwa… pag naguwa na… naa sa CDO, nga muhatag tag three days, mao tong giserve pag Lunes, wala pa nato gi-install ang notice (tarpaulin)… Gihatagan natog three days grace period… mao to pag Aug. 6, napupos ang atong tagal.”

Arce emphasized the importance of public awareness in curbing illegal operations.

“Ug di ta mubutang ug tarpaulin, di nato mapugngan ang operation… At least aware ang publiko, nga gi did-an na gyud sila ug pag-operate didto… mu-report sila sa kagamhanan sa syudad sa Sugbo, in case, aduna pa gihapoy pagka himuong quarry dihang dapita,”Arce said.

Barangay Pardo also issued its statement, affirming its role in the enforcement: “Our barangay, in coordination with the PROBE team, BPSO, and QRT, issued a CDO and installed warning signages to stop the illegal operation of the PDC at Sitio Mahayahay. This is part of our commitment to ensure order, safety, and compliance in our community.”

In a separate interview, Barangay Captain Danilo Lim confirmed to The Freeman that CCENRO and PROBE had sought assistance from the barangay in posting the notice. He also identified that a certain PDC or Pedro D. Cabunillas requested a barangay clearance last year for these activities.

“Prior ana, kita sad, nangayo na sila’g permit sa barangay… So nakahatag gani mig clearance ana… Pero ang problema, wa nila ma-comply ba… unya while wala nila ma-comply, sa una, ilang paagi sa amo, hauling, sige lag kabkab.”

Lim recalled warning the operator about safety risks: “Ingon ko, undanga sa na, kay naa baya’y mga tawo sa ibabaw… matumpag unya na.”

Lim added that the Office of the Building Official (OBO) had intervened earlier due to excavation violations. “Hauling ang tirada nila ato, unya ang naka pa stop nila ato ang OBO, kay excavation man,” he said.

The current CDO, Lim clarified, is tied to a subdivision development in the area. “Karon, kaning ila, ang permit na gyud ni… duna may buhatog subdivision diha… So mao na sa ilang CDO karon, in relation sa subdivision nila.”

He noted that another developer had also been issued a CDO earlier, and that complaints from residents continue to surface.

Lim stressed the environmental impact of unchecked upland development. “Ang ibabaw sad ana, naa puy laing gi-develop, mao to’y nag cause og baha namo diri… Ilang tubig, inig patag didto, diri gipaagi sa Pardo, maong nidako ang volume sa tubig.”

The official said the barangay will also install its signage to remind developers to secure proper permits.

“Mubutang pud ko’ng tarpaulin ug amo diri nga tanang magtukod ug unsa pa na na development, mag-secure gyud og necessary permit… kay kon di nato butangan, tukod lang kay tukod… pila ka years karon, samot na’g duna na na’y bridge diha, mudaghan na, unya ang volume sa tubig, di’ na ta kaakupa.”

The city government, now under Mayor Nestor Archival Jr., has reiterated its commitment to enforcing environmental and zoning regulations, especially in upland areas vulnerable to flooding and erosion.

As of press time, monitoring efforts remain active, and residents are encouraged to report any continued quarrying or unauthorized development to city authorities. — /RAE (FREEMAN)