Halt black sand mining, Cagayan gov orders

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio on Tuesday ordered eight companies conducting black sand extraction activities in three coastal towns to stop operating.

In his order, Antonio cited the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) which noted violations in the firms’ operations in Aparri, Buguey and Gonzaga towns based on field visits by its monitoring team in June and on July 23.

Antonio sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police in implementing the cease-and-desist order.

In his letter to the governor, Mario Ancheta, acting MGB Cagayan Valley director, said the team discovered that black sand extraction in the three coastal towns breached the 200-meter prohibited zone near seashores, as provided by law.

He, however, declined to name the eight firms whose operations were halted, saying the list should be obtained from the provincial government.

The Inquirer tried to reach Provincial Environment Officer Roberto Adap but he did not take calls on his mobile phone.

MGB sources, who declined to be named for lack of authority to speak on the matter, said those that were issued orders were mostly foreign firms.

Ancheta also recommended the suspension of all magnetite sand mining permits issued by the provincial government and asked the governor to order the companies to immediately restore mined-out areas.

Sought for comment, the Federation of Environment Advocates (Feac), a group of nongovernment organizations opposed to black sand mining in Cagayan, expressed skepticism over Antonio’s orders.

“We just hope that these orders will be implemented by the concerned government agencies, and not just for show, like what we have seen in the past,” said Arturo Alariao, Feac president.