DAVAO CITY –— The provincial government has tightened the implementation of the environmental policies and regulations in issuing permits to quarry and mining operations, particularly on the extraction of sand and gravel.
Though fees and taxes from natural resources are among the post-pandemic economic recovery driver, Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon said provincial government upholds the strict compliance of the environmental laws saying the need to protect the environment is tantamount to peoples protection.
Last week, the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) members evaluated the sand and gravel extraction applications, covering the new and renewal applications for Commercial Sand and Gravel (CSAG) Extraction and Industrial Sand and Gravel (ISAG) Extraction.
The team learned that of the 19 applicants from November 2022 to February 2023, only eight (8) were approved.
As its is now, there are 66 sand and gravel operators who were issued permits in the province.
Malanyaon said, every applicantion documents must be scrutinized to ensure that the government requirements are complied, even if the applicants are going business with the government projects.
“We must ensure that the environment will not be sacrificed in the development and progress in our province, especially the communities,” she added.
Atty. Jasper Lascano, the PMRB Chairperson and Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Director said Malanyaon is doing the right thing in the protection of environemnt and in cushioning the empact of climate change.
Aside from complying with environmental regulations, quarry operators are compelled to engage in activities which are beneficial to the communities.
