Archaeological sites discovered in Albay

Caves and rockshelters containing archaeological material were recently discovered in Mt. Quiboro and surrounding hills in Guinobatan town in Albay by a team of researchers from the University of the Philippines.

Systematic exploration of the area was initiated by the Archdiocese of Legazpi through the cause-oriented Alyansa Laban sa Polusyon Asin Gutom (ALPOG) and the environmentalist group Earthsavers, when it was learned that a Taiwanese-owned cement plant planned to expand its quarrying activities to the area.

The cement factory, located in the nearby municipality of Camalig, has been in operation since December 1999.

The Archdiocese of Legazpi, along with officials from two of Guinobatan’s barangays, is up in arms against the company’s intended earthmoving activities in the vicinity, claiming these will destroy the environment and pollute the local water supply.

The company’s supporters, on the other hand, assert that the expansion of its operations will contribute to the development of the local economy.

The discovery of the archaeological sites adds a new twist to the controversy.

"There is no doubt that these sites are archaeologically significant," UP scholars Ligaya Lacsina and Bobby Orillaneda said. "We strongly recommend their preservation and subjection to further archaeological research."

Among the specimens reportedly found in the sites are pottery sherds and human remains believed to be of pre-modern attribution.