More possible violations are facing Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC) in their quarry operations in the City of Naga to the extent of causing water and air pollution in the area.
Among the possible violations cited were ALQC’s apparent failure to comply with the Environmental Clearance Certificate (EEC) requirements for proper environmental safeguards after the discovery of stockpiles of coal which released harmful particles into the air, and the admitted presence of copper slag in their operations, posing a risk of contaminating groundwater aquifer near their quarry sites.
An ECC is a document issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR – EMB) that certifies that a proposed project will not have a significant negative environmental impact. It also outlines the proponent’s commitments to comply with environmental regulations.
Gov. Gwen Garcia raised these concerns after reviewing images and videos hovering over ALQC’s quarry sites which showed black-colored mounds of stockpiles without protective coverings.
These findings prompted the governor to ask the EMB to inspect the site. She also called for a joint inspection involving the Cebu Provincial Government, the City of Naga, EMB, and ALQC to verify the extent of the violations.
Herbert Consunji, the newly appointed president and CEO of Cemex Holdings Philippines, DENR regional executive director Paquito Melicor, MGB 7 director Armando Malicse, and ALQC Quarry Operations Superintendent William Melano Jr were also present.
“Well, it’s unfortunate that these things are happening,” Consunji told 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗯𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 in an interview.
“We were also faced in this similar tragedy, so then our commitment is there. It is in our DNA that we try to help people talaga in all businesses that we have,” he added. | BJR