Quarry and mining sites in Bohol have been temporarily closed for inspection as ordered by the provincial government while operations deemed to be unsafe and violating mining rules will be shut down, as mandated by law, said a local environmental official.
According to Provincial Environment Resources Officer (PENRO) Eusalem Quiwag, local authorities will be looking into mining and quarry operators’ “environmental protection and management” of their respective areas within the 15-day suspension ordered by Gov. Edgar Chatto on September 24.
The PENRO, the Bohol Environmental Management Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and local government units have been tasked to oversee the inspections.
“Kung naay mo-violate, ang resulta suspension…Naay technical conference, og dili g’yud [mo-sunod], mo abot to the extent na ikansel ang ilang mga permit,” said Quiwag.
The suspension was ordered in accordance with a memorandum issued by Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano of the DENR-MGB in the aftermath of the massive landslide that hit Naga, Cebu, leaving at least 40 people dead and dozens missing.
Chatto’s order for suspension was dated September 24, 2018 but the BEMO, which was tasked to lead the inspections, received the directive on September 25.
Geodetic engineer Ana Luisa Galiciano of the BEMO earlier said that there are around 50 mining and quarry sites in Bohol. (AD)