01/07/2022
JUST IN | Governor Noel Rosal, accompanied by Provincial Legal Officer Peter Ralla, and Provincial Engineering Office OIC Engineer Clemente Ibo, signed Executive Order No. 002 in the Governor’s Office, witnessed by the local media.
The order, entitled, “An Order Temporarily Suspending The Extraction, Processing, Collecting, And Transporting Gravel And Sands And Other Mineral Resources In The Province Of Albay,” is part of his promise to give order in the quarry situation of the Province of Albay and is immediately in effect.
The governor told the reporters that he will be meeting with the operators on Monday, July 4, 2022 at the Albay Astrodome to discuss the order. He will also listen to their situation to be fair with those who are operating legally.
Gov. Rosal will ask them to comply with the five requirements needed to obtain the Governor’s permit to quarry. This includes the Environmental Compliance Certificate, Location Clearance, Status Clearance, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Clearance, and a Business Permit.
The Governor gave assurance that quarry operations will come back, but they have to be regulated and monitored very well.
“Albay is number 1 today when it comes to quarrying. We cannot permanently suspend it. It is God’s gift to us. The revenues generated could be used for many worthwhile projects,” Rosal said.
In the meantime, two task forces have been created to investigate the current landscape. The Governor wants to make sure that any operation would not be affecting the welfare of the people. They will also ensure that all quarrying will be done on the riverbeds.
Governor Rosal will prohibit vehicles bigger than ten-wheeler trucks using barangay roads and will direct hauling vehicles on specific routes with scheduled deliveries.
//JB via Albay PIO | Tune in to DZGB-am for more updates
