Cebu Gov. orders stop to dolomite mining in Alcoy
Photo Credit: Gov. Gwen Garcia Official Facebook Page
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia issued on Tuesday a cease and desist order against the activities of the Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC) and the Dolomite Mining Corporation (DMC) in Alcoy, which is the source of the dolomite used as white sand at Manila Bay.
Garcia said the dolomite mining and transport activities related to the Manila Bay project lack an environmental impact assessment in violation of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Order No. 2003-30 and Presidential Decree No. 1586.
The governor also said the dolomite mining for the Manila Bay project can damage the province’s ecology. She pointed out that the area where dolomite is extracted is an environmentally critical area. Alcoy is home to the Siloy or Black Shama, an endangered bird species.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 7 Director Loreto B. Alburo said last week that the dolomite used in Manila Bay was from Alcoy, but added that the material was processed and shipped in compliance with existing regulations.
Alburo’s statement followed criticism from netizens and environmental groups over the dolomite overlay project at Manila Bay.
Garcia said the dolomite mining and transport activities related to the Manila Bay project lack an environmental impact assessment in violation of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Order No. 2003-30 and Presidential Decree No. 1586.
The governor also said the dolomite mining for the Manila Bay project can damage the province’s ecology. She pointed out that the area where dolomite is extracted is an environmentally critical area. Alcoy is home to the Siloy or Black Shama, an endangered bird species.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 7 Director Loreto B. Alburo said last week that the dolomite used in Manila Bay was from Alcoy, but added that the material was processed and shipped in compliance with existing regulations.
Alburo’s statement followed criticism from netizens and environmental groups over the dolomite overlay project at Manila Bay.