Dumaguete City officials are reportedly determined to stop small-scale illegal quarrying at the Banica River despite opposition from those who insist that the sand and gravel extraction is their only source of income.
Earlier, officials of the city Environment and Natural Resources Office and the provincial Environment and Natural Resources Division of Negros Oriental met with residents to warn those engaged in illegal quarrying about possible arrest for violating the law.
Dick Encabo of the ENRO said the city is also recommending that a joint resolution be passed by barangay councils of Taclobo, Batinguel and Bagacay to organize those engaged in small-scale quarrying into a legitimate association so they can apply for a permit from the provincial ENRD.
Until then, he said, those who persist in extracting sand and gravel from the Banica River, will be arrested. He admitted, though, that this is a big problem for the city, since it would be impossible to deploy round-the-clock law enforcers in the area.
Encabo added that while there were arrests in the past, the problem still persists since people would immediately return to their illegal activities once the police leave the area.
Illegal extraction of sand and gravel at the Banica River has made the river banks, more vulnerable to flooding.
Only a handful of residents from Bagacay and Taclobo were present at the dialog, to the dismay of officials who said that these are the people whose lives are at risk during flooding.
Some of those present also denied selling the quarry materials by cubic meter, saying they earn a measly income from sand and gravel extraction, and sell it for P5 or P10 per bag or sack. (PNA/Judy Flores-Partlow)
