By Gabriela Baron
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto was among those who urged the cancellation of three large-scale quarrying permits in the Upper Marikina watershed, citing possible widespread flooding and landslides.
In a joint statement, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Angono Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon warned of “disastrous floods and landslides” accelerated by “unlawful and misplaced quarrying, unscrupulous resort constructions, and other harmful activities that level mountains, obstruct waterways, and vanish forests.”
The statement was also signed by Pasig Administrator Atty. Jeronimo Manzanero, Malabon City Administrator Atty. Voltaire Dela Cruz, Barangay (Brgy) Sta. Elena, Marikina Brgy. Capt. Bernard Bernardo, Brgy. Calumpang, Marikina Brgy. Capt. Segundo Cruz, Brgy. Nangka, Marikina Brgy. Capt. Randy Leal, Brgy. Marikina Heights, Marikina Brgy. Capt. Miguel Punzalan Jr., Brgy. Fortune, Marikina City Brgy. Capt. Rizalina Teope, Brgy. Barangka, Marikina Brgy. Capt. Ronnie Tiburcio, and Brgy. Concepcion Dos, Marikina Brgy. Capt. Mary Jane Zubiri-Dela Rosa.
“These destructive activities and developments are anathema to the protected area meant to be preserved from exploitation for the well-being of Filipinos and future generations thereof,” the statement read.
The signatories urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to hold collective over individual interests and support conservation initiatives like the Masungi Geopark Project.
The individuals also called on the concerned agencies to cancel mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) covering over 1,300 hectares of the protected watershed.
“We are deeply concerned that the DENR is reportedly not acting upon the cancellation of the MPSAs since the MPSAs are allegedly ‘not yet operational’ and ‘will expire soon,” the statement further read.
“We likewise appeal to the relevant quarry companies to reconsider the social and environmental impacts of their plans, and voluntarily rescind their MPSAs within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape and Masungi Geopark Project.” – ag
