Gov. Gwen Garcia made it abundantly clear that the Cebu Provincial Government is prepared to take actions against Solid Earth Development Corporation that is based in the Municipality of San Fernando, even if it means facing potential legal challenges.
“Even if I risk another court case, I will issue another cease-and-desist (CDO) order under the present prevailing conditions of your operations. There really is again a clear and present danger to existing communities and houses.” Governor Garcia told Solid Earth executives during a meeting at the Capitol on January 8.
Solid Earth is a quarry company that supplies the quarry demands of the nearby cement manufacturer Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, also based in San Fernando.
The meeting — which was also attended by San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann Canoy as well as officials from DENR, EMB, DPWH and Taiheiyo — focused on the environmental and safety risks associated with ongoing quarry activities in the area, highlighting serious concerns over the safety of nearby communities.
Just last month, Gov. Garcia appeared in court after Apo Land and Quarry Corp., the quarry materials supplier of Cemex Philippines, asked for an injunction against a CDO she had issued against the company pending the conduct of an environmental audit and comprehensive area risk assessment.
The deadly landslide in the City of Naga in 2018 fell within the quarry site of Apo Land.
The Governor told Solid Earth that she wants to establish a safe zone and buffer zones around its quarry sites to protect nearby communities. These zones will be identified within the next 30 days.
Concerns about the accuracy of reports from Taiheiyo and Solid Earth were also raised, as officials questioned the reported volume of materials extracted in relation to glaring discrepancies that needed to be clarified through an independent inspection.
A technical working group will be created to assess whether Taiheiyo Cement and Solid Earth are fully compliant with their Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) and scrutinize the safety of their operations.
“You will be given 30 days to make a presentation of how you can conclusively, truthfully, and faithfully assure the safety and security of existing communities that are within your MPSAs,” Governor Garcia said, emphasizing the urgent need for concrete solutions to the safety issues at hand.
The TWG will focus on verifying that the necessary buffer zones are in place between the quarry operations and local communities, ensuring that the risks of tremors and landslides are minimized. | JMT
