BONTOC, Mountain Province -- With the continued quarrying being done along the Chico river banks, a non-government organization is asking concerned government officials and offices why the quarrying activities are unabated.
Lang-ay Festival Organization, an ardent advocate of good governance, cultural preservation and environmental protection, has forwarded Resolutions Nos. 1, series of 2016, dated October 27, 2016, requesting the intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte in the implementation of the “No Quarrying Policy” of the government along the Chico River, particularly in the jurisdiction of the Bontoc-Samoki Jumbo Bridge.
Another Resolution was also forwarded to Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) requesting the agency to reinstate the position of Provincial Governor as Vice Chairman of the PMRB.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR, in its feedback letter to the organization, has downloaded the responsibility of clarifying and settling the quarrying issue to the local government units.
It was noted the bridge had been closed for traffic in October for having been wrecked by rampaging waters during the onslaught of Typhoon Lawin in the province last year.
Until now, the bridge’s one lane is being used by motorists after technical engineers allowed it. It is not known until when or when the bridge will be repaired.
During the meeting of the elders of the organization last Thursday, the questions are hoped to be answered and clarified, during the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) meeting.
Paulino Tumapang, Jr., who was invited to attend the meeting, emphasized why are the quarrying activities still persist when warning in the past have been issued and posted for the stop to quarrying.
In the billboard posted at both side entrances of the bridge, the public is informed of the policy of no quarrying within 500 meters above and below the bridge, while a Provincial Ordinance reportedly states 100 meters above and below.
But the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 or Republic Act 7942, particularly Section 79 (a) states that “No extraction, removal or disposition of materials shall be allowed within a distance of one (1) kilometre from the boundaries reservoirs established for public water supply, archaeological and historical sites or of any public or private works or structures, unless the prior clearances of government agency/ies concerned or owner is obtained”.
The reiteration of the Organization is largely hinged on the environmental destruction the quarrying activities pose to the rice fields above and below.
Tomasa Sangayab, a retired mentor and leader of women in the community, said quarrying activities do not only pose further destruction to the Jumbo Bridge but also to the rice fields near the river banks.
“The river bed has notably receded through the years making it hard for the sourcing of the irrigation waters to the rice fields,” she elaborated.
“There are many who are affected by the quarrying activities, only a few benefit from it”, she stressed.
Meanwhile, the organization is also asking the MPDEO-DPWH, the DENR, and the local officials to conduct information drives as to the status of the Chico River Jumbo Bridge and the Sabangan Bridge and other related issues and concerns so the public will be informed and guided accordingly.
It was recommended during the meeting of the PMRB a Task Force be formed to implement pertinent laws regarding the quarrying along the Chico River.
Fay Apil, regional director of the MGB and presiding officer of the meeting, said the formation of the task force will be done.
Recommended composition are representatives from the ENRO, DENR, MPDEO-DPWH, PNP, NCIP, community, and non-government organization. (Roger Sacyaten)