Saturday, September 27, 2008 Ricafort denies illegal quarrying in Clark
CLARK FREEPORT —- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Benigno Ricafort has clarified that there is no illegal quarry operations inside the freeport.
Ricafort issued the statement in reaction to a letter sent to him by Governor Eddie Panlilio who stated that CDC has allowed illegal quarry operation along the Sacobia river here.
During a recent Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) meeting, Ricafort stated that CDC is not into illegal quarry operations as stated by the governor.
He informed the MCAC members composed of 11 mayors from the Metro Clark area under the provinces of Tarlac and Pampanga that "the letter of Panlilio to CDC is not good."
"Imagine, accusing CDC of illegal quarrying," said Ricafort.
According to him, CDC officials already explained about the ongoing desilting of the Sacobia river before Panlilio wrote the letter.
"CDC was surprised why he (Panlilio) still issued that letter," he said.
He added that CDC does not issue quarry permits. "We do limited desilting to protect river embankment," he told the MCAC members during the meeting.
In his letter, Panlilio asked the CDC president to provide the provincial Capitol the names of the quarry operators under CDC.
Ricafort stressed that the Provincial Government and CDC should be working side-by-side to help improve the economic growth for the benefit of Pampanga residents instead of "throwing unfounded accusations to CDC."
He also said that the Provincial Government should help CDC pursue its mandate instead of giving false accusations.
"If you want to help in any way you can just let us know," Ricafort said, addressing the letter of Panlilio.
Ricafort told the government that, "We, in CDC, are not illegal quarry operators. Please let us know how you would want to help us in embankment protection and in pursuing our mandate of giving jobs to our people." (RGN)
