THE management of the Central Philippine State University (CPSU) is demanding a stop of the quarry operations within its reservation area in Sitio Mansumbil, Barangay Tagukon, Kabankalan City.
In an interview with SunStar Bacolod, Dr. Aladino Moraca, president of CPSU, said the quarry permit was allegedly given to the operator without coordination from the management of the school.
CPSU has a total area of 4,653 hectares and the quarry site is inside the reservation area of the school that "should be protected for lifetime."
"We should take care of our environment and this is non-negotiable. This quarry operation destroys the terrain of the area," Moraca pointed out.
He also expressed his concern because the barangay officials of Tagukon reportedly supported and endorsed the quarry operation.
Moraca said he personally brought up the matter to the Provincial Environment Management Office (Pemo) where he expressed his concern, and that a team was already sent to the area and conducted the investigation, but preparations are still ongoing for the quarry.
Dominic Gillen, head of CPSU Environment Department, said ongoing monitoring is being done by the school on the activities at the quarry site.
He said the road network for the dump trucks and other heavy equipment has been done and that a batching plant has also been completed without the knowledge of the school.
"This is a violation of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Law," Gillen said.