(Eagle News) — For Senator Francis Escudero, the temporary suspension of quarry operations will only worsen inflation.
“Amidst the government’s efforts to control inflation, here is a policy decision from one agency that will erase whatever little gains they have achieved at reining (inflation) in,” he said in a statement.
Escudero was referring to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which ordered the 15-day suspension in select areas after a landslide in Itogon, Benguet; and in Naga City, Cebu claimed dozens of lives.
He said such a suspension would have “inflationary tendencies on cement and aggregates, and will impinge upon the administration’s Build, Build, Build project…”
“Not to mention that it’s sweeping and clearly arbitrary,” he said.
According to Escudero, instead of closing down the quarry sites without inspecting them, the DENR should just create teams that will inspect each site, and close down only those with violations.
“Paano kapag inabot ng isang buwan, dalawang buwan, tatlong buwan bago nainspect ang daang daang quarry sites sa buong bansa, e di ganoon din katagal tataas ang presyo?” he asked.
“Nauunawaan ko ang concern ni (Environment Secretary Roy) Cimatu sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan, pero dapat unawain at isipin din niya ang domino effect ng kanyang mga ipinaguutos sa ibang aspeto ng ating lipunan at ekonomiya,” he added.