Cebu governor seeks revocation of 2 quarry operators’ right to mine

Local

CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revoke the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) of two major quarry operators in southern Cebu for allegedly violating environmental laws and failing to pay local taxes.

Garcia said the MPSAs of Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), which operates in the City of Naga, and Solid Earth Development Corporation (SEDC), which operates in San Fernando, should be nullified due to what she described as a series of discoveries involving safety risks, extraction discrepancies, and non-payment of dues to the Provincial Government.

She said her position now is to seek the nullification of all their MPSAs.

Both ALQC and SEDC supply raw materials to major cement producers, including Apo Cement Corporation and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, respectively.

The Capitol had earlier issued cease-and-desist orders (CDOs) against the two companies in December 2024, and recently extended these orders through Executive Orders Nos. 13 and 14.

The suspension runs from March 25 to April 18, 2025, covering all areas under their respective MPSAs.

Garcia ordered the firms to cease all earth-moving activities and comply with the ongoing environmental audit and risk assessment.

She warned them against any action that could be construed as a resumption of operations.

This marked the fourth extension of the CDO against ALQC and the third against SEDC this year.

In her Executive Order No. 14, Garcia cited her authority under the general welfare clause of Republic Act 7160, the Philippine Mining Act, and Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, invoking the precautionary principle to prevent harm to human health, safety, and the environment.

Capitol data showed major discrepancies in extraction volumes. A drone survey revealed that SEDC extracted over 22.2 million metric tons of limestone from 2008 to 2024, while only reporting 13.1 million metric tons to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

For ALQC, a university research found that 3.9 million metric tons were extracted in 2018, well above the declared volume of 1.5 million metric tons at the time of the 2018 Naga landslide.

Garcia said the operations violated Section 19 of Republic Act 7942, which prohibits mining near communities, public infrastructure, and ecologically sensitive areas without proper consent.

She added that ALQC’s quarry sites in Naga were dangerously close to residential areas.

She stressed that the more serious and pressing issue was that the firms’ MPSAs were in violation of the Philippine Mining Act.

The governor also reported that the two companies owe over P1.2 billion in unpaid taxes under the Cebu Provincial Revenue Code.

ALQC allegedly owes P1.018 billion from 2009 to 2024, while SEDC has obligations amounting to P233 million from 2008 to 2024.

According to Garcia, both companies claimed they were already paying taxes to the national government and refused to recognize their local tax obligations.

ALQC holds eight MPSAs covering more than 3,300 hectares across Naga City, Carcar City, Pinamungajan, and Toledo City. SEDC holds seven MPSAs covering over 5,500 hectares in San Fernando, Carcar City, and Pinamungajan.

Garcia gave assurance that the shutdowns will not disrupt cement production, as other licensed quarry permit holders across Cebu are capable of supplying limestone.

She urged cement firms to source their materials from these local suppliers who, she said, pay the appropriate taxes and are properly monitored by the Province.

She maintained that the ongoing suspension aims to protect lives and prevent another tragedy like the 2018 landslide in Naga City, which killed at least 78 people and displaced hundreds of families living near an ALQC quarry site.(MyTVCebu)