Davao City Councilor Diosdado Mahipus (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A city councilor is seeking a dialogue with the quarry operators for their use of heavy equipment on their operations.
City Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Sr, head of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said Tuesday the dialogue aims to identify who among the quarry operators are “indiscriminately” quarrying in the Davao river and using heavy equipment.
“We cannot take a blind eye in the conservation and protection of our Davao river where there is a tremendous destruction caused by quarrying,” he said.
Mahipus emphasized that the use of heavy equipments such as backhoe, bulldozers and cranes could be viewed as a violation of their permits granted by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office.
“I believe that this a violation of (the provisions of the) small-scale quarrying permits,” he said.
Elisa P. Madrazo, city environment and natural resources officer, said they are aware that small-scale quarry operators are using heavy equipment.
“Small scale quarry can use heavy equipments that are not metallic such as crane; they are not only allowed to use metallic-type of equipments,” she said.
Madrazo said that she could not single out small scale quarry operators using heavy equipments as “indiscriminate” since they are monitored by a regulatory board.
She said that those who violated the terms and condition will not be able to renew their permits.
Madrazo said that Mahipus’ statement on “indiscriminate” operation is unfair. “That is only our point because we mitigate them, that if they violate then we will cancel their permits,” she said.
Presently, there are over 80 quarries operating in Davao City. (davaotoday.com)
