Governor Gwen Garcia has called for an investigation into all cement plants in Cebu, citing growing concerns over environmental and safety risks from large-scale quarrying operations.
During a press conference at the Governor’s Office on January 3, she emphasized the need to put a stop to the “indiscriminate quarrying” of these cement plants that were granted thousands of hectares of Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) that cover areas where there are existing communities already.
MPSA is a contract between the government and a mining operator, granting the latter the right to explore, develop, and utilize mineral resources in exchange for a share of production profits.
The Governor called attention to the MPSAs granted to companies like Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), which has MPSAs covering over 3,300 hectares of land, including areas that are densely populated.
Gov. Garcia questioned why regulatory bodies like the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) continue to approve MPSAs in such populated areas.
“It’s scary, because the very agencies that are supposed to have protected us, all the people, I don’t know why they’re granting this huge Mineral Production Sharing Agreement that encompass thousands of hectares in areas where there are already communities living,” she said.
The Governor also referenced the deadly Naga landslide of 2018 as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked quarrying.
“Haven’t we learned from the lessons that we should have been learned from the Naga tragedy?” she asked, warning that similar tragedies could happen again if mining practices are not reevaluated and properly regulated.
ALQC, which supplies quarry materials to Cemex Philippines, has grown its operations over the years, now spanning in areas like Pinamungajan, Toledo City, and Carcar. Gov. Garcia also raised alarms over exposed coal stockpiles, which could release harmful particles into the air; and the presence of copper slag, a hazardous waste, which threatens local groundwater.
In addition to ALQC, Gov. Garcia is calling for a review of other cement plants in the province, including Solid Earth (Taiheiyo Cement), Mabuhay Filcement, and Republic Cement.
Environmental groups and local residents are rallying for stronger enforcement of regulations, with Gov. Garcia advocating for stricter oversight. | JMT