THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lifted the suspension on 90 percent of quarrying activities in the country, but operations in the City of Naga, Cebu, are still banned.
The suspension on quarrying operations was imposed in eight regions in the country immediately after the massive landslide that buried dozens of homes, killed more than 60 people, and left several others missing in Naga.
READ: 4 MGB 7 officials relieved, quarrying suspended
But after a week-long inspection of quarrying sites, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said companies from La Union, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Batangas, Rizal, Camarines Sur, Misamis Oriental, Iligan City, and Davao City can resume operations.
"There are no communities around the quarry sites na ma-affect (that will be affected), in case na may (of) landslide," Cimatu said in a press briefing on Thursday, September 27.
On September 21, Cimatu suspended quarrying in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and Caraga.
Following a review and assessment of all quarry operations nationwide, Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Northern Cement Corp., Heirs of Elias E. Olegano, and 19 firms with Industrial Sand and Gravel (Isag) permits in Ilocos region are spared from the ban order.
In Central Luzon, Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Republic Cement, Eagle Cement, and six companies with Isag permits can now proceed with their quarrying activities.
Cimatu also lifted the suspension of quarrying operations of Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc. and Lafarge Holcim Aggregates Corp. in Calabarzon; Orophil Stonecraft Corp. in Bicol region; Holcim Resources and Development Corp. in Northern Mindanao; and Holcim Mining and Development Corp. in Davao Region.
The remaining 10 percent of suspended quarrying operations include the site in Naga, Cebu.
READ: Death toll in Naga landslide rises to 60
Cimatu said quarrying activity in the City of Naga needs further assessment.
"Kasi nauna itong quarry na ito sa community. Isolated 'yung quarry site dati, but nag-lipatan 'yung community because of the workers, kaya naging vulnerable itong nasa Naga," he said.
(The quarry in that area was there before the community was built. The site was isolated before, but the workers moved there and built a community, that's why Naga became vulnerable.) (SunStar Philippines)