Negros Oriental’s acting governor, Dr. Edward Mark Macias, is meeting soon with all the permit holders of sand and gravel quarry to find ways and means to streamline enforcement of existing regulations.
“There is no way that three people can monitor 119 permit-holders for sand and gravel quarry all over the province of Negros Oriental”, Macias told reporters in an interview.
This was the observation of Macias when briefed about the staffing pattern of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the province during a meeting Thursday with the permit-holders.
The acting governor said that before signing documents, he made sure he understands what he was getting into and so in the course of discussions, figures regarding payments had to be corrected so it will be advantageous to the government.
The acting governor also wants a data base and profile of barges, who from time to time dock in different ports of the province to ferry mineral resources out of the province, including delivery trucks, their plate numbers, registration, their drivers, so that during spot inspections it will be easier to enforce the regulations.
At least four delivery trucks carrying sand and gravel have been apprehended in the absence of delivery receipts, Macias was informed.
Inspectors are advised to make sure delivery receipts are filled up so it cant be used in other trips to the prejudice of government.
Macias also disclosed the provincial government has received reports of illegal quarry operations in some parts of the province that has to be validated through spot-checking.
According to the acting governor he has started checking quarry sites mentioned in those reports to include the quarry operations in Looc, Sibulan.
Macias, elected as vice governor of the province, is serving in an acting capacity as governor following the 90-day preventive suspension of Gov. Roel Degamo. (Juancho Gallarde)
