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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 8) – The Cebu provincial government issued a cease-and-desist order Tuesday against two mining companies for unauthorized mineral extraction related to the controversial Manila Bay ‘white sand’ project.
Governor Gwendolyn García issued the order against Dolomite Mining Corporation and Philippine Mining Service Corporation in the city of Alcoy, preventing them from “extracting, processing, selling and transporting dolomite, associated mineral deposits and other resources from the quarry.”
“The extraction of dolomite minerals from Alcoy and the consequent damage it will cause to the terrestrial environment of the island of Cebu violates the constitutional right of Cebuanos to a balanced and healthy ecology,” the order said.
The order mentioned that although the Central Visayas Bureau of Mines and Geosciences granted a transportation permit to the Philippine Mining Service Corporation to bring the minerals to Manila, it did not inform the Cebu provincial government or city officials of Alcoy about the project.
There was also no environmental impact study on the effects of dolomite mining and its use on the coast of Manila Bay, he added. This came after the governor met with bureau representatives and other officials, said provincial legal consultant Marino Martinquilla.
Local officials have previously questioned the mining operation due to the alleged lack of permits. The crushed dolomite overlay on a segment of the Manila Bay shoreline drew criticism from environmental groups for prioritizing aesthetics over environmental concerns. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources had maintained that the project had been thoroughly studied.
Cebu journalist Dale Israel contributed to this report.
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