MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will suspend quarrying operations in Rizal as it may be one of the causes of flooding in Marikina.
Marikina City and the Municipality of Taytay are known to be low-lying areas and are prone to flooding. The local executives of the two areas have been exhausting to prevent flooding during heavy rains.
During the visit of Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Bong Go’s in Marikina on August 13, a resident asked him how government intends to address the issue of flooding, which usually occurs during heavy rains and typhoons.
Go promised to talk to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Rey Cimatu to check on the issue so that it can be solved right away.
“Immediately, tomorrow kakausapin ko ang Secretary of DENR to check kung iyon ba ang naging dahilan. We will address it immediately. Babalikan po kita. After ko po na makausap ang DENR tomorrow. Pangako ‘yan (Immediately, tomorrow I will talk the Secretary of DENR to check if that’s the main cause of flooding. We will address it immediately and I will get back to you right after I talk to the Secretary of DENR. That’s a promise),” Go said.
As promised, Go spoke with Cimatu, who responded by suspending quarrying operations in Rizal, particularly in San Mateo and Rodriguez.
DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, for his part, instructed Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Samuel Paragas to coordinate with Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Director Noemi Paranada and EMB Director, Engr. Metodio Turbella, in issuing a joint Stoppage Order on the quarrying and crushing of plants in San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal
Meanwhile, the DENR will conduct an investigation on the possible role of quarrying in the flooding in Marikina.
Go also assured the flood victims that the Duterte administration’s sympathy is with them and the government will extend assistance to them.
“Nalulungkot po ako sa aking mga nakita, kaya nga po kami andito para ipakita na andito ang gobyerno. Karamay nyo po kami. Handa kaming tugunan hanggang sa abot ng aming makakaya (I’m disheartened by what I am seeing. That’s why we are here, I’m here, to show them that the government is here and we are sympathizing with them. We are ready to respond to their needs to the best of our capabilities),” he said. (PR/PNA)
