CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro suspended 10 quarry operators and nine special disposal permit holders for 30 days following complaints about their poor operations. The companies operate under the supervision of the Provincial Government.
The directive, issued Monday, July 28, 2025, aims to allow for a comprehensive review of existing permits, Baricuatro said.
“We need to review and we need to, naa man gud mga complaints regarding sa uban nga mga quarry operations, permits, so, we need to review and evaluate kung kinsa gyud ni ang mga operators if they’re compliant (We need to review and evaluate. There are complaints regarding some quarry operations and permits, so we need to review and evaluate if these operators are compliant),” Baricuatro said in an interview with the media Tuesday, July 29.
In the same interview, Rodel Bontuyan, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), revealed the common issues — poorly maintained siltation ponds and drainage systems, which lead to clogs, overflows and silt escaping operation sites.
He also cited instances where operators extracted materials outside their designated areas.
Bontuyan clarified that the suspension specifically covers the extraction of materials that include sand and gravel.
The governor’s office did not disclose the names and locations of the affected operators of quarry permits and special disposal permits.
According to the 2023 directory of operating mines and quarries from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7, quarry operations are active in Asturias, Balamban, Bogo City, Carmen, Carcar City, Compostela, Consolacion, Dalaguete, Danao City, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Medellin, Minglanilla, Naga City, Pinamungajan, Ronda, San Fernando, Tabogon, Talisay City, Toledo City and Tuburan.
Baricuatro’s move is similar to what then-governor Gwendolyn Garcia did in 2019. Garcia suspended small-scale quarry operations supervised by the Provincial Government. Large-scale operations regulated by the MGB were not affected by this suspension.
No effect
Baricuatro said the suspension should not significantly affect the industry.
“It’s only for 30 days, I don’t think this will affect the industry,” she said.
The suspension applies only to quarry operators involved in extracting materials, according to Bontuyan.
He also said that special disposal permits are for construction firms to properly dispose of excess or unusable materials from site developments.
Bontuyan clarified that the suspension does not affect existing stockpiles held by entities like hardware stores that are involved in trading but not extraction.
The Penro head also noted that mining contracts issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are not included in the suspension.
A Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) is a contractual arrangement between the Philippine government and a mining contractor. Under this agreement, the National Government grants the contractor the exclusive right to explore, develop and utilize mineral resources within a specified area.
Last March, Garcia asked the DENR to nullify the MPSAs of Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) in the City of Naga and Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) in San Fernando due to environmental violations and safety risks.
Garcia issued Executive Order 13 extending the suspension of ALQC’s operations for another 30 days starting March 25, while Executive Order 14 stopped SEDC’s quarrying in San Fernando, also starting on the same date.
After the 30-day suspension expired in April, there were no reports of an extension from the Provincial Government under Garcia.
The two firms have faced repeated suspensions since December 2024 over safety risks and questionable extraction records. ALQC had challenged the order but later dropped its case.
Allegations include failure to pay over P1 billion in local taxes and illegal quarrying near communities.
Applications
While new quarry applications will still be accepted, their approval will be pending, according to Bontuyan.
Bontuyan said a typical permit allows for the extraction of around 10,000 cubic meters.
Penro has three technical personnel and began on-site inspections Tuesday, July 29.
To facilitate the review, Baricuatro formed a special review committee. Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces will chair the committee. Other members include Bontuyan, Provincial Legal Officer Guiller Ceniza, Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre and Executive Assistant to the Governor’s Office Kevin Dinsay.
The committee will evaluate all current contracts and permits, including an assessment of whether authorized extraction or disposal volumes have been exhausted.
It will also verify compliance with permit terms, the Revenue Code of Cebu Province and environmental laws. The verification process includes actual site inspections.
Within the 30-day suspension period, the committee will recommend appropriate actions for each permit.
These actions may include lifting the suspension for compliant permits, or continued suspension or revocation for violations.
The committee may also propose fines, monetary penalties, or other administrative or legal sanctions.
All provincial offices, departments and instrumentalities are directed to provide full cooperation and support to the committee, including access to relevant documents and personnel.
Baricuatro’s office has directed Penro and all other concerned offices to strictly implement the order. This includes apprehending and initiating charges against any violators.
Both the suspension and the committee’s formation took effect immediately. / CDF