Measure aims to halt Butuanon quarrying

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Association of Barangay Councils President Ernie Manatad has drafted an ordinance declaring both sides of the Butuanon River as a "non-extraction zone."

Butuanon River runs from the mountain barangays of Cebu City passing through six barangays in Mandaue City with the endpoint in Barangay Paknaan.

Manatad, who sits as an ex-officio member at the Mandaue City Council, said the declaration is aimed at protecting the river from further exploitation from quarries and excavation.

He added that he drafted the ordinance after the Butuanon River Watershed Management Board made such proposal noticing there was already "an irreversible damage" caused by extraction. 

Most of these extraction activities, which produced sand and gravel and garden soil, reportedly failed to secure permit from proper local government units.

"Grabe na ilang extraction, wa na'y pugong (Extraction activities have become rampant in the river)," Manatad said.

Under the proposed ordinance, the LGU has the power to take active participation in the protection and rehabilitation of the river's waterbed within its jurisdiction.

Manatad emphasized the need to save the river by conducting clean-up and rehabilitation drive.

"It is unlawful for any person, natural or juridical or government entity or instrumentality to extract, take and dispose of any of these minerals from public water or in public or private land within the territorial jurisdiction of the city," the draft reads.

Once the said  ordinance will be approved, barangay and city officials, city and barangay eco-wardens, the PNP, local Community Environment and Natural Resources Office officers and BRWMB officials and members will be tasked to case and initiate the arrest and prosecution of the violators.

Manatad also added that upon the ordinance's approval, the LGU can no longer issue any permit for extraction.

For now, it has been the practice that the city government issues a permit for individuals to extract with the endorsement of the barangay.

 "Sagad gabii pud ni sila mag-quarry aron di mabantayan, lahi ni sa dredging kay ang ilang quarry kay for commercial purpose na ug lawom na kaayo (They usually go quarrying in the night to avoid being caught. This is different from dredging because they are quarrying for commercial purposes)," Manatad said.

The said draft ordinance was approved on first reading during the council's session last Wednesday and is now being endorsed to the committee on laws headed by City Councilor Nenita Layese for further study. (FREEMAN)