DAHIL SA NASIRANG DAM: Quarrying in Pangasinan town to undergo regulations by gov’t agencies

Both national and local government agencies agreed to regulate quarrying in San Fabian, Pangasinan after the destruction of a dam under rehabilitation during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong was linked to the extraction practice.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 1, among other agencies, hope that the plan to toughen regulations in quarrying in the said town will ensure strict implementation of laws and sustainable development.

The dam referred to, Binday dam, was 97 percent rehabilitated by the time a flash floods brought by Typhoon Ompong last September overturn its progress.

“Malaking factor ang illegal quarrying kung bakit nasira ang dam. (Illegal quarrying is a big factor to the destruction of the dam) We are not against quarrying but it should be regulated according to the laws,” Oscar Navata, NIA-1 public relations officer was quoted saying in a Philippine News Agency report.

Navata added that the agreement among authorities to regulate quarrying in San Fabian stems from the result of an ocular inspection of the rehabilitation process of Binday dam.

The rehabilitation was originally funded with P 100 million by the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JAICA) and the national government. Now, Navata said searching for another funding is needed in order to start rehabilitation of the dam, this time ensuring the stability of the structure when faced by calamities.

Binday dam is vital in irrigating 2,026 hectares of land by over 5,000 farmers from the towns of San Fabian, San Jacinto, and Manaoag.

Navata is positive that the proposed regulation will material soon as local government units of the three towns are cooperating well.

Illegal quarrying activities in San Fabian was confirmed by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of Pangasinan. Legitimate quarrying, on the other hand, are required by law to conduct operations 1,000 square meters away from facilities, dams included.