Ynares stops quarrying amid probe on landfill's perimeter wall collapse

MANILA, Philippines - Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III ordered yesterday a temporary halt to quarrying and small-scale mining operations to pave the way to the investigation ordered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the recent collapse of a portion of the perimeter wall of the 19-hectare provincial landfill in Rodriguez town.

Ynares also directed Senior Superintendent Ireneo Dordas, Rizal police director, to implement stricter security measures at the landfill in Sitio Lukutang Munti, Barangay San Isidro amid reports that the collapse may have been caused by sabotage.

“Until the angle of sabotage or ground vibrations from the use of explosives in nearby operations have been ruled out, I have directed all concerned to ensure that tighter security measures are in place,” he said in a statement.

Ynares said quarrying and small-scale mining operations can resume only after the DENR investigating team rules that the use of explosives in these operations did not cause the perimeter wall’s collapse last July 30.

Acting on the directive of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza, the Environment Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Board are now looking into what caused the collapse amid heavy rains.

Ynares though did not rule out politics in the incident. “The continuing use of the provincial landfill as a political issue by some personalities dictates that the political angle be thoroughly probed,” he said.

Ynares and Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo are at loggerheads over the landfill’s continued operations.

Cuerpo has announced that he would challenge Ynares in next year’s elections.