Garcia wants permit of quarry operators revoked

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CEBU CITY — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revoke the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) of two major quarry operators in southern Cebu, citing alleged violations of environmental laws and failure to pay local taxes.

Garcia specifically called for the nullification of the MPSAs held by Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), operating in the City of Naga, and Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC), based in San Fernando.

She pointed to a series of findings that revealed safety risks, extraction discrepancies and unpaid dues to the provincial government as grounds for her appeal.

The governor said she now seeks the complete nullification of all MPSAs held by the two companies.

Both ALQC and SEDC supply raw materials to major cement producers.

The provincial capitol had earlier issued cease-and-desist orders (CDOs) against the two companies in December 2024 and recently extended these orders through Executive Orders 13 and 14.

The suspension runs from March 25 to April 18, 2025, covering all areas under their respective MPSAs.

Garcia ordered the firms to cease all earth-moving activities and comply with the ongoing environmental audit and risk assessment.

She warned them against any action that could be construed as a resumption of operations.

This marked the fourth extension of the CDO against ALQC and the third against SEDC this year.

In Executive Order 14, Garcia cited her authority under the general welfare clause of Republic Act 7160, the Philippine Mining Act, and Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, invoking the precautionary principle to prevent harm to human health, safety and the environment.

The governor presented data that showed major discrepancies in extraction volumes.

A drone survey revealed that SEDC extracted over 22.2 million metric tons of limestone from 2008 to 2024, while only reporting 13.1 million metric tons to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

For ALQC, a university research found that 3.9 million metric tons were extracted in 2018, well above the declared volume of 1.5 million metric tons at the time of the 2018 Naga landslide.

Garcia said the operations violated Section 19 of Republic Act 7942, which prohibits mining near communities, public infrastructure, and ecologically sensitive areas without proper consent.

She added that ALQC's quarry sites in Naga were dangerously close to residential areas.

She added that the more serious and pressing issue was that the firms' MPSAs violated the Philippine Mining Act.

The governor also reported that the two companies owe over P1.2 billion in unpaid taxes under the Cebu Provincial Revenue Code.

ALQC allegedly owes P1.018 billion from 2009 to 2024, while SEDC has obligations amounting to P233 million from 2008 to 2024.

Garcia said both companies claimed they had been paying taxes to the national government and refused to recognize their local tax obligations.

ALQC holds eight MPSAs covering more than 3,300 hectares across Naga City, Carcar City, Pinamungajan, and Toledo City.

SEDC holds seven MPSAs covering over 5,500 hectares in San Fernando, Carcar City, and Pinamungajan.

Garcia assured that the shutdowns will not disrupt cement production, as other licensed quarry permit holders across Cebu are capable of supplying limestone.

She urged cement firms to source their materials from these local suppliers who, she said, pay the appropriate taxes and are properly monitored by the province.

She maintained that the ongoing suspension aims to protect lives and prevent another tragedy like the 2018 landslide in Naga City, which killed at least 78 people and displaced hundreds of families living near an ALQC quarry site.