CEBU CITY – All of Cebu’s local chief executives have stood behind and supported the provincial government’s decision to stop dolomite mining in Alcoy town.
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Mayors in Cebu province have signed and passed a resolution expressing support to the Capitol's effort to protect the "terrestrial environment of the Island of Cebu and the Cebuanos' constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology" after dolomite from Cebu was shipped to Manila for the so-called "white sand project" of the DENR in Manila Bay. (Cebu Provincial Government Photo)
In a resolution, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu Chapter said the “persistent dolomite extraction in Alcoy and the consequential damage it will cause the environment of Cebu Island, violate the constitutionally protected right of the Cebuanos and resulting in irreparable and unquantifiable harm to them.”
Even Alcoy Mayor Michael Angelo Sestoso expressed their support to the Capitol's effort to protect the “terrestrial environment of the Island of Cebu and the Cebuanos' constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology.”
Dolomite boulders from Alcoy have been shipped to Manila as filling materials for the so-called “white sand project” of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Manila Bay.
The Capitol said no public consultation was done with the municipal government of Alcoy and the provincial government on the transport of the dolomite and not even an environmental impact study on its effect in the town’s environment.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued a cease and desist order against two mining companies in the town of Alcoy and effectively stopping the extraction of dolomites used in the controversial Manila Bay white sand project.
Garcia signed Executive Order No. 25 ordering Dolomite Mining Corporation (DMC) and Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC) to “immediately cease and desist from further extracting, processing, selling, and transporting of dolomite, associated mineral deposits, and other quarry resources”.
The order, she said, was “to further prevent more damage to the terrestrial environment in the Municipality of Alcoy,” claiming that the activities of the companies that undertook the extraction and transport of dolomites to Manila are not covered with Environmental Impact Study as mandated under Proclamation No. 2146.
“The Provincial Government of Cebu, and even the Municipality of Alcoy, was not informed of the beautification project nor was there any public consultation held before the issuance of the two OTPs (ore transport permits) to PMSC for the transport of said dolomite rocks from Cebu to Manila,” she said.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Central Visayas said it issued two OTPs to the PMSC which allowed the company to transport 7 tons of dolomite for the Manila Bay beautification project.
Garcia, however, said issuance of such OTPS to the mining firm, PMSC, was without proper notice to the Alcoy municipality, noting that the absence of public consultation “clearly lacks transparency" on the part of MGB and the mining firms.
She said it violated DENR Administrative Order 2010-21 which defines the role of a local government in ensuring compliance with “public notice, public consultation and public participation”.
“The absence of Environmental Impact Study is a clear and blatant violation of DENR Administrative Order No. 2003-30, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1586, establishing the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System,” she added.
The governor also invoked the constitutional principle of “balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony with nature” in issuing the order. She asked the Alcoy LGU, the police and the military to assist the provincial government in implementing the cease and desist order.
She said the domestic sale of dolomite is not included in the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) between the DMC and the government.
The LMP expressed its “vehement and continuing objection” on the selling of dolomite rocks and other minerals which are used as substitutes for sand and gravel, soil conditioner, and other purposes. It also recommended to the Capitol the review of the permits of DMC and PMSC and to check whether they have complied with the country's laws and regulations that ensure the replenishment and restoration of the exploited area.
Those who signed the resolution also wanted to ensure that the mining companies provide their “contribution to the just and equitable share of all local governments and Cebu province affected by their projects.”
DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the crushed Cebu dolomite boulders overlaid on the beach area of Manila Bay were already crushed before being brought to there. The project, he said, “will serve as a campaign for the people to tell them that it’s about time we take care of our environment and maintain cleanliness, because, as DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu believes, the current pandemic is connected to our being neglectful (of) our environment”.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo defended the Manila Bay project and said it has been on the pipeline and was already allotted with funds last year.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said the white sand project will prevent soil erosion and flooding. “Itong ginawa po nila, ito po ay tinatawag na beach enhancement, so hindi lang po ito pagpapaganda. Itong beach enhancement pong ito ay para po maiwasan ang soil erosion at para makatulong din po sa flood control,” he said in defending the project.
Lawmakers and environmental groups criticized the project since dolomite sand could pose public health risks and environmental problems.
Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso also sided with Panelo and Roque and defended the project. “Our stand is very clear, until particular sand is found pollutive harmful without proper studies, we will support the rehabilitation of Manila Bay,” Domagoso said. “To know na makapaminsala siyempre me mga syentipiko naman and I think DENR is in the right position to know better than me, sapagkat sila naman ang talagang tinalaga ng batas na mangalaga sa ating kapaligiran.”
“Let us be very clear about this. I will not comment on whether or not gipa-gwapo ba nang Manila Bay. Dili ko mag-apil-apil ana. Ang akong komentaryo ug ang akong posisyon mao nga kaning duha ka firms (Dolomite Mining Corporation) labi na ning PMSC (Philippine Mining Service Corporation) wala na ni mag-mining, ga-quarrying na ni kay namaligya na ni locally,” Garcia said. (Carlo Lorenciana. With reports from John Rey Saavedra, Marita Moaje, Azer Parrocha and Cebu Examiner.)
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