The Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) has started the implementation of communal quarry operation effective April 1 with the issuance of Executive Order No. 14 – 14 duly signed by the Provincial Governor and stipulating in it the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
PEMO Officer-in-Charge Siegfred Flaviano disclosed that the communal quarry site has more or less, 1 kilometer of “active” quarrying with an area of 3.5 hectares along the river bed.
The communal quarry area is located in Topland River and traverses Barangays Sta. Cruz and Buto in Tampakan and Barangay Topland in Koronadal City.
Eighteen (18) quarry operators initially formed themselves into a group, while application for additional permittees are still on hold subject to verification and evaluation by PEMO on the carrying capacity of the quarry site.
Quarry operators, as part of the IRR, are enjoined to form themselves into a government-registered association or cooperative within one year period.
The permittees are also required to submit their corporate social responsibility and environment programs to the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board and will be monitored on a quarterly basis by the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team created under the Provincial Environment Code.
Four quarry sites located in Barangays Namnama, Sto. Nino, New Pangasinan and Concepcion in Koronadal City are now closed for quarry operation and will be monitored closely of violators.
The Provincial Governor will also deputized barangay officials as enforcers and partners of the province for the effective and successful implementation of this newly-created scheme and system of communal quarrying sites.
