Talisay council approves application for quarrying

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council has approved the application for operation of small scale quarry despite a call for a temporary halt to quarrying activities in the city.

Councilor Bernard Odilao last month urged Mayor Socrates Fernandez to stop two quarrying firms that operate at the Mananga River and the city’s mountain barangays.

Odilao cited the danger to public safety posed by the operations.

The other day Odilao supported a resolution that approved the application for small scale quarrying in Lagtang.

But opposition Councilor Danilo Caballero questioned the approval of the resolution by the city council and the move of Odilao saying that the proponent defied his own resolution passed last month.

Caballero said Odilao, who is the chairman of the committee on environment, must remember that continuous quarrying cause siltation and erosion of the topsoil layer, which affect vegetation in the area.

“The area as they all know is a landslide prone area. I think they know it. Asa naman ilang panawagan kaniadto nga ipa-stop unya karon ilang gi-approve na pud,” Caballero said.

But Odilao said the resolution that was recently approved seeking the temporary stoppage of quarrying in Lagtang was lifted by the mayor.

Odilao said he has prepared a draft ordinance laying down the regulations and guidelines regarding the mining and quarrying operations in the city.

“Once this ordinance is in place, it does not only protect our interest but as well serve the interest of the whole mining industry in our city,” Odilao said.