Probe of Pangasinan quarrying sought
STA. MARIA, PANGASINAN—Farmers’ association Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) has urged the Senate to investigate alleged illegal quarrying activities that have carved crater-like pits across agricultural land in several barangays of this eastern Pangasinan town.
Sinag chair Rosendo So said the scale of excavation in the affected villages—located about a kilometer from Agno River—has already reached an estimated 20 hectares, with operators expanding rapidly.
“If these are placed side by side, the quarried areas could easily cover at least 20 ha. If this continues unchecked, more agricultural land will be destroyed,” So told reporters during an ocular visit on Thursday.
He warned that the illicit quarrying threatens not only food production but also the environment, potentially worsening flooding and endangering residents and livestock in Sta. Maria and neighboring towns such as Asingan and Villasis.
What used to be farmland planted with root crops and vegetables—including ampalaya, eggplant and corn—is now riddled with 5-meter-deep pits, some spanning up to 2,000 square meters.
Questionable permits
So disclosed that Sinag will ask the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office to explain how the operators were granted quarry permits by both DENR and the provincial environment office despite their failure to present documents showing ownership or legal authority over the land.
“We have already reported these illegal activities to the DENR regional office, but no action has been taken. The operators appeared to have influential backers,” he said partly in Tagalog.
According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, quarry operators must submit several requirements, including proof of technical capability, a work program and rehabilitation plan, a survey or sketch plan, and an environmental compliance certificate from the DENR.
But So said the only documents shown to him by the operators were two certifications from the estate owner stating that a tenant had paid an amount for the portion they were occupying.
“That is not a quarry permit,” he stressed.
The area being quarried is part of a 5,000-ha property owned by the Villareal estate group, which had been earmarked for distribution to tenant-farmers under the agrarian reform program.
“But the plan to distribute the land may no longer push through because many tenants allowed quarrying on the land they are tilling. Because of this, they are now disqualified from receiving a Certificate of Land Ownership Award,” So said.
Multiple operators
He added that quarrying activities began only in September, but because of the large number of heavy equipment deployed, the affected area expanded rapidly in just two months.
The quarry operators are reportedly a family from Villasis and another from Rosales, who allegedly permit other groups to excavate sand and gravel on the site.
A resident, who requested anonymity, said: “Yesterday, there were at least seven trucks hauling materials from the quarry.”
Several backhoes were also spotted in the area, although these were idle during the media visit.
