CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The provincial government of Pampanga is now enforcing a quarry operations ban within the 1.5 kilometer radius of a bridge along the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
Governor Dennis Pineda issued an executive order prohibiting the extraction of sand and other materials in said area to protect the structural integrity of the SCTEX bridge.
The governor said he has formed a team to monitor quarry operations near the. bridge
Pineda earlier said the provincial government is helping other government agencies to protect SCTEX Bridge in Porac town.
On Holy Tuesday, Pineda ordered the putting up of No Quarry Zone marks near and under the bridge.
The governor said he expanded the No Quarry Zone based on the recommendations of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He said this was agreed during a meeting with other agencies like the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
"Kumuha po ako ng private at government surveyors para sukatin ang 1.5 KILOMETERS radius ng No Quarry Zone. Ang pagsusukat ay sinubaybayan ng DPWH, DENR, MGB at EMB. Nandoon din po ang Kalam ng Capitol at mga lider ng Porac Quarry Association. Nakikipagtulungan po ang quarry operators at haulers sa Capitol," the governor said.
"Nakatakda ko pong pirmahan ang isang executive order para opisyal na i-enforce ang No Quarry Zone pati sediment management plan sa Pasig-Potrero River," Pineda added.
On Tuesday, Antonio Ayson, President of the association of Porac quarry operators led the marking and placing of poles and signages in its designated markings with staff from DPWH, BCDA, DENR-MGB, and KALAM.