By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO) reported that 113 persons were apprehended for alleged illegal quarrying from January to July 13, 2021.
Acting CaPENRO head, Atty. Emilyn Arboleda-Depon, said the violators were caught in the act by the Task Force Kabalaka 6K for allegedly extracting sand and gravel without proper pertinent papers.
The task force arrested 18 persons on May 13; 13 in June; and 16 in July.
Three of the apprehended persons used heavy equipment without permits while 11 used manual mode of extraction.
Depon added that 25 violators were caught without Delivery Receipt (DR) and two used fake or open-dated delivery receipt.
Meanwhile, 3 were caught with tampered, open-dated DR and expired permit, while another lacked DR.
Based on Section 2E.01 of Provincial Ordinance No. 011, Series of 2017 (Revised Revenue Code of Capiz), no individuals, corporations, partnership or government entity/instrumentality are allowed to extract and dispose minerals from public water, public and private lands unless authorized and has necessary permits issued by the provincial governor.
To avoid environmental degradation and promote sustainability, Depon said mineral extraction activities in Capiz should be regulated.
