THE local government of Zamboanga through the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) is reiterating its policy on legitimate quarry operations for sand and gravel and other aggregate materials.

Dr. Eduardo Bisquera, OCENR assistant chief, said there are requirements for legitimate sand and gravel quarry operations as mandated under City Ordinance No. 2002-094 as amended by Ordinance No. 2012-162.

Bisquera said the requirements include a barangay council resolution, conduct public consultation, survey plans with technical description on location map, the site must be one kilometer from public or private structure like bridges upstream or downstream.

To preclude double application within an area, Bisquera said the quarry operation should be covered by certification from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and to prevent destruction the permitee should undertake rehabilitation.

As to hauling regulation, Bisguera said extraction or hauling is not allowed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Monday to Sunday. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)