Illegal adobe quarry in QC village stopped

ILLEGAL DIG Environment officials learned about the unauthorized quarry operation thanks to residents who complained about the diggings in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. MGB PHOTO

THE MINES and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has discovered and stopped an unauthorized adobe quarrying operation inside a Quezon City subdivision after receiving complaints.

In a statement, the MGB said it had issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the illegal activity in Centerville Subdivision, Barangay Pasong Tamo.

The agency said it acted on complaints coming from residents in neighboring subdivisions regarding the diggings. An inspection confirmed the quarrying operation for lithic lapilli tuff, commonly known as adobe.

“The operation was not covered by a quarrying permit and therefore violated the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995,” the MGB said.

But the bureau’s statement, posted on its website on Friday, did not identify who was behind the quarrying or the recipient of the CDO dated April 20.

Earlier this year, the MGB, an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, formally laid down procedures on how its officials can act against illegal mining operations.

Memorandum Circular No. 2016-03, dated Jan. 28, spells out the steps that the bureau’s regional offices should take to stop such operations that cause damage to the environment.

The steps call for an ocular investigation of the site and the issuance of a CDO if the operation is found to be illegal. The memo also authorized the MGB to tap the police and other law enforcement units for assistance in stopping the activity and confiscating the tools, equipment and vehicles used.

Facilities found to be have been used for illegal mining are to be dismantled and formal complaints shall be filed against the perpetrators, the memo added.