The City Council of Puerto Princesa has requested different government agencies and city government offices to conduct an assessment of three barangays, where quarrying is temporarily suspended.
During the Committee Meeting of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources presided by City Councilor Jimmy Carbonell, they requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its CENRO, the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (City ENRO), City Planning and Development Office, and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) to asses the rivers located in Barangays Inagawan, Inagawan-Sub, and Kamuning.
In 2010, the City Council passed an ordinance imposing moratorium on quarrying in these barangays. In imposing the ban, the city government suspended the issuance of permits to quarry operation applications in the area. The move was spearheaded by then chairman of the Committee on Environment, City Councilor Rocky Austria.
“Baka pwede na e-lift na ang moratorium. Kasi ang mga rivers na yan ay puno na ng (materials) aggregates. Tignan na natin,” Carbonell said.
Carbonell cited that these areas covered by the moratorium are now flooded due to deposit of aggregates that have caused flooding in these barangays and adjoining areas.
CENR Officer Felizardo Cayatoc of the DENR-CENRO Puerto Princesa, who was present during the meeting, said that he will coordinate with the different agencies and offices, particularly the City ENRO on this matter.
The committee also discussed during the committee meeting that due consideration to the core zones and strict protection zones within these barangays be ensured and pursued to protect the city’s environment and natural resources.