Chief of Environment suspends dolomite mining operations in Cebu Manila Bay’s ‘white sand’ source

MANILA – Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu suspended operations at two dolomite mining companies in Alcoy, Cebu, where the government obtained synthetic white sand for a beautification project in Manila Bay.

In a text message, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said that Cimatu inspected the dolomite mining operations in Alcoy for allegations of alleged harmful environmental effects.

“He immediately ordered the suspension of operations of Dolomite Mining Corp. and Philippine Mining Service Corp pending an investigation into the environmental impact of their operations,” Antiporda said.

The Cebu provincial government previously issued a cease-and-desist order against the two companies, saying that the shipment of crushed dolomite to Manila, a project started by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, was carried out without public consultation.

In Executive Order No. 25, García said that the extraction of dolomite from the city of Alcoy and the “consequential damage it will cause to the terrestrial environment of the island of Cebu” is also a violation of the constitutional right of Cebu residents to “a balanced and healthy ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature”.

After its inspection of the two mining sites, Cimatu directed the Office of Environmental Management in Region 7 to conduct a water quality sampling near the companies’ ship loading facilities and to also verify air quality. environmental.

Experts had previously warned of the dangers of inhaling crushed dolomite, and the health department cited the dangers involved in the process of pulverizing the rock.

Cimatu also ordered the Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer to verify the condition of the corals, following a complaint from the Cebu capitol that the extraction of dolomitic rocks and the transportation of crushed dolomite near the mines had damaged the ecosystem in the area, destroying coral reefs.

He ordered provincial environmental and mining officials to discuss concerns about dolomite mining in Cebu City.

The government’s Manila Bay “white sand beach” project had sparked cheers and boos, with officials and some from the public praising the coastal facelift, and others criticizing “unnecessary” spending as the country grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Videos and photos taken on the man-made white sand beach of Manila Bay showed that some of the crushed dolomite was already being washed away, but DENR denied that this was the case.

– With reports from April Rafales, ABS-CBN News