Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has created an inter-agency task group to address issues relating to quarrying activities in the city, especially the unregulated and illegal operations.
In her latest issuance, Executive Order (E.O) No. 48, released on Tuesday, August 12, 2020, Mayor Sara noted the many complaints received by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) on alleged unregulated and illegal quarrying activities by permit holders and other individuals.
In EO No. 48, the mayor emphasized the need to address all issues and to guarantee the proper implementation of quarrying laws and other related policies and ordinances.
The task group is composed of the head of CENRO as chairperson, the head of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB)-XI as vice-chairperson, and the head/representatives of the City Engineer’s Office (CEO, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO)-Zoning Division, City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR), Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers, Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI), and Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) as members.
The members are tasked to conduct regular ocular inspections, prepare reports on violations and recommendations, monitor and ensure all terms and conditions of quarry permits are complied with, formulate mitigating measures to properly address any negative environmental impact during operation, and make a periodic report to the mayor.
Davao City has several approved quarry permits for commercial sand and gravel, earth fill, and limestone along the Davao, Lasang, Matina Pangi, and Talomo rivers. (City Information Office)
