OPERATIONS in three Barangay Pit-os quarry sites were ordered stopped after Cebu City Hall officials learned that they have no permits.
City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) Chief Nigel Paul Villarete said he received complaints from residents regarding the quarry activities there.
After investigating four quarry sites, Villarete’s office learned that three do not have permits from the City Government.
“We acted on the complaints and inquiries from residents if the quarry operations are authorized. Maybe they (residents) are worried because when there is a quarry site in the area, the soil would loosen. People are also concerned about the dust particles and dirt,” Villarete told Sun.Star Cebu.
Portions of Pit-os’ hills have been scraped and dug up for soil, rocks and other filling materials.
At least two quarry sites sit just beside the two-lane barangay road leading to other mountain barangays.
Fearing landslides and other untoward incidents, especially during heavy rains, the CPDO has asked the quarry operators to stop until they secure permits.
“The initial finding is that there are no permits in the three quarry sites. We still have to verify this with the owners, but that in itself is already a violation because the permit should be in the site. Definitely, they have to stop operations and we have asked them to do so,” Villarete said.
He is expecting the CPDO inspection team’s final report today.
The CPDO will also inspect other quarry sites to make sure that they have all the permits from government agencies and the City.
While they have been issued clearances to transport filling materials, most do not have the other permits, said Villarete.
North district City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said that quarry operations are mainly under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) jurisdiction, but the City has taken steps to stop them because of the lack of permits.
Last week, Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered a businessman to stop constructing a road on a 32-hectare property in the mountain barangay of Mabini after earth-moving activities caused a landslide.
Teodorico Adarna Sr. used heavy equipment to carve roads on the hillside, causing boulders and soil to slide downhill and cover the barangay’s asphalted road. He also did not have building and development permits from City Hall. (LCR)
