(Eagle News) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lifted the suspension order on quarrying operations of some quarrying firms operating in six regions of the country.
This is after a review of the operations of these firms by the department’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said that the lifting of the 15-day suspension was after the MGB had assessed that there was “no imminent danger” to the communities near the areas of operation of the said quarrying firms known to produce cement, gravel and sand.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said that mining operations of the following quarrying firms can now continue:
In Region 1 of the Ilocos Region: Holcim Mining and Development Corp.in La Union, particularly in the towns of Bacnotan, Balaloan and Luna; Northern Cement Corp., in Sison, Pangasinan; the Heirs of Elias E. Olegano also in Pangasinan; and nine firms with Industrial Sand and Gravel Permits (ISAG);
In Region 3 or Central Luzon: Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Republic Cement, Eagle Cement, all in Bulacan; and six firms with ISAG in Pampanga and Zambales;
In Region 4A or CALABARZON: Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc., in Taysan, Batangas; and Lafarge Holcim aggregates Corp., in Angono, Rizal;
In Region 5 or the Bicol Region: Orophil Stonecraft Corp. in Camarines Sur;
In Region 10 or Northern Mindanao: Holcim Resources and Development Corp., particularly in Lugait, Misamis Oriental and in Dalipuga,Iligan City;
And in Region 11 or Davao region: Holcim Mining and Development Corp., particularly in Davao City
The DENR ordered the suspension of quarrying operations in the country on September 21 following the deadly landslide near a quarrying site in Naga City where at least 64 have already been recovered dead.
Cimatu ordered a review and assessment of quarrying operators nationwide so they can check the safety of their operations, and their impact on the nearby communities.
