The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) lifted the suspension on quarrying operations in several regions on Thursday after halting it due to a fatal landslide near a quarry site in Naga City, Cebu.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu announced the decision after the agency conducted a quick assessment and site inspection.
“I told regional directors concerned to expedite investigation into the matter,” Cimatu was quoted as saying in a Philippine News Agency report.
The DENR’s move came after concerns that the suspension might affect the prices of commodities, including cement and other construction materials in the country.
On Wednesday, Senator Francis Escudero expressed worry that the DENR decision could worsen inflation, and later affect the government’s flagship infrastructure program.
“Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng gasolina o presyo ng bilihin, ang hirap nang ibaba o bumaba iyon matapos bumaba dahil nga sa domino effect na nangyayari,” he said. (“The domino effect will not make it easy to roll back prices of basic commodities and fuel once they go up.”)
Around 90 percent of quarry firms are now allowed to operate, while the remaining ten percent are still suspended, Cimatu noted.
The DENR chief said quarry operations can continue in Luzon, Davao City, and select areas in Visayas, except in Naga City where the ban remains.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said the quarry firms allowed to resume operations include:
Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Northern Cement Corp., Republic Cement and Lafarge Holcim Aggregates Corp.; and Orophil Stonecraft Corp., among others.
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