THIS WEEK’S MILESTONES: Jan. 20-26, 2019

Jan. 25, 2006

The first satellite milkfish hatchery in Cagayan Valley region was launched by agriculture officials at the town of Claveria in Cagayan province.

The hatchery was created to boost aquaculture production in the region and reduce the need for importation of fry.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority website showed that 517 metric tons of milkfish, locally known as “bangus,” were produced in Cagayan Valley in 2017.

Jan. 26, 2012

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) issued a cease and desist order against magnetite (black sand) extraction activities in Lingayen town, capital of Pangasinan province.

Investigation by the EMB showed that black sand extraction at Barangay Sabangan and its processing at Barangay Malimpuec were not covered by an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

On Jan. 16, 2012, a group of residents and village officials of Lingayen filed a complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman against local and provincial officials and two companies for violating the antigraft and mining laws.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources first stopped operations of Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures in 2011 for not having an ECC, but the provincial government allowed another firm, Xypher Builders, to extract magnetite from the area for a planned 18-hole golf course.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research