5 Quezon crushing facilities lose permits over alleged violations

LUCENA CITY – The local government of Infanta, Quezon has cancelled the business permits of four crushing plants and a mobile crusher following alleged violations of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) permitting requirements.

In a report posted on Facebook on Thursday, Infanta officials said the permits were cancelled after the DENR issued a cease-and- desist order following a field investigation by its Composite Monitoring Team on Sept. 9 and 10.

The investigation found that Reina Readymix Construction OPC, Ultrarocks Corporation, Frepa Aggregates Trading, MCDC Hauling Services/Gravel and Sand, and Sta. Clara International Corporation did not allegedly have the required Mineral Processing Permit (MPP) under the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

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READ: Ombudsman suspends Nueva Ecija gov over quarrying permits

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In a memorandum issued on Sept. 29, Mayor Lord Arnel Ruanto said possession of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC No. ECC-OL-R4A-2021-0309) and an Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit (ISAGP No. IP-Q-0199-Q1) does not substitute for the mandatory MPP required for a mineral processing facility.

The local government said the investigation and subsequent suspension of the operations were carried out through established procedures with the cooperation of the municipal and provincial governments and the DENR.

Infanta is a coastal municipality in northeastern Quezon, located along the eastern flank of the Sierra Madre and within the drainage system of the Agos River, which ends in the Pacific Ocean. 

The Agos River system contains extensive alluvial and riverine deposits of sand, gravel, and other unconsolidated materials. 

These deposits are important sources of construction aggregates but are also part of an active river system, making extraction activities subject to environmental and regulatory controls./coa