Climaco orders halt, probe of

Climaco orders halt, probe of

Patalon quarrying operations

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 01 (ZNS) -Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco Salazar on Thursday ordered a stop of all illegal quarrying operations in Pulang Lupa in barangay Patalon and at the same directed City Legal officer Atty. Jesus Carbon to conduct a thorough investigation of said activities.

This, as the mayor personally saw the destruction in the environment resulting from extensive quarrying activities sans the necessary permits. The trees on the mountainside are almost uprooted and the water from the river exits through the narrow waterways.

Together with Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority Chairman Christopher Arnuco, Patalon barangay chairman Gaudencio Rojas and Labuan Police Station Commander PSI Raymond Sanson trekked the hilly and rocky road to Pulang Lupa in barangay Patalon in the wake of complaints from barangay residents and Zambo ecozone about rampant quarrying activities in the area.

 “Por medio de capitan, ta ordena yo que suspende anay todo operacion aqui hasta hace propio investigacion si Judge Jesus Carbon para puede quita hace el lo que debe,” the mayor said citing the massive destruction wrought by the quarrying activities in the area.

She likewise ordered the Labuan Police Chief to station police personnel in the area to monitor quarrying activities and to apprehend those who would continue to engage in such activities. The presence of heavy equipment in the area speaks volumes of the extent of quarrying activities being done thereat.

Mayor Climaco stressed that the destruction caused by illegal quarrying threatens the safety of the residents particularly the young children. “Mio orden con Judge Carbon is to make appropriate investigation as we suspend the operations.”

The City Government has not issued permits nor renewed the permits of any individual to conduct quarrying activities in the area which, according to the Ecozone officials is part of their jurisdiction, according to the mayor. “I am for the total protection of the environment y nuay quita dale licensia.”

Patalon Chairman Rojas said he will also assign barangay tanods to guard the area  to ensure that no further destruction will take place. He said the need to suspend quarrying operations is very crucial.

Together with personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Rojas said, the Barangay Council last April also visited the area and ordered the suspension of operations. “They (those engaged in quarrying) were asking for the renewal of their permits but they were told to do some rehabilitation before they can apply for renewal. The call (for rehabilitation) was unheeded and the destruction was aggravated.

Earlier Thursday morning, members of the City Council with City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Rey Gonzales dialogued with Ecozone and barangay officials and residents in the area. (ZNS)