Gwen extends ban on quarrying activities in Naga

Local

THE cease-and-desist order against all earth-moving operations in Naga City will remain in effect for another 30 days starting Friday, January 10, 2025, following the ongoing environmental audit and comprehensive area risk assessment.

This move aims to provide additional time to assess the area’s carrying capacity, particularly regarding the operations of Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC) within their mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) areas in the city.

Under Executive Order No. 2, signed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Thursday, it is crucial to continue precautionary measures while the assessment is underway.

Based on the document, Garcia's decision to extend the order stems from her concerns about the environmental and safety risks of ongoing quarry activities in the area.

This was especially underscored during her presentation in a legal challenge filed by ALQC.

As previously reported, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 in Cebu City dismissed ALQC's petition for injunction against Garcia’s Executive Order No. 22, which temporarily halted the corporation’s quarry operations last December.

This order, enacted on December 3, 2024, called for a 30-day pause on earth-moving activities in order to conduct an environmental audit, risk assessment, and determination of the MPSA area’s carrying capacity.

Garcia’s proactive measures are in direct response to ongoing risks identified by geohazard studies from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), particularly the loose soil and subterranean ponds in the area, which heightened concerns after the deadly 2018 landslide in Barangay Tina-an.

Following the court’s dismissal of ALQC's petition on December 11, 2024, after the company withdrew its request, Garcia emphasized that the temporary halt was meant to ensure the safety of local communities, not to permanently close the operations.

During her addressing of the court, Garcia elaborated on the need for precautionary measures to avoid harm and damage to the environment and public safety under Republic Act No. 10121.

While ALQC maintains that its operations are important for the supply chain of Cemex Philippines, Garcia proposed the creation of buffer zones to ensure a balance between industrial activity and safety, further calling for continuous dialogue with local and national agencies.(MyTVCebu)