During Tuesday’s (Sept. 24) Aprubado sa Konseho media briefing, Ocampo who chairs the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the 20th Davao City Council said the proposed ordinance will be presented to the City Legal Office for further comments after a thorough study of his committee.
He said the city recognizes the right of people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature enshrined in Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution.
Ocampo said he hopes that the proposed quarrying ordinance will be passed the soon.
Under the draft resolution, those violators under first offense will be fined P3,000 per cubic meter of the collection and confiscation of all equipment and machinery used in quarrying and a fine of P5,000 per cubic meter of the collection and seizure of quarry materials for the second offense. The operation will also be ceased.
“Ang mga penalties medyo bug-at but that’s the only way para motul-id ning atuang mga quarry operators. Gusto man gud nato ang mag-flourish, ang makabenepisyo ang mga legal quarry operators,” he said.
Once passed, Ocampo said this will benefit the legal quarrying operators and the city government, and stop illegal operations.
“That is why gihimo nato nga ordinansa kay kung mahimo na ning balaod kining mga legal quarry operations will really help the government nga sila nay motug-an sa mga nag -illegal. Kay lugi man sila gabayad sila sa saktong buhis. Pero kadtong mga illegal quarry wala, dawlims ra kaayo,” Ocampo further said.
As the City recognizes quarry as a mode for economic development there is a need to regulate the said activity in order to protect the environment, he said.
The proposed measure also stated that it has been the duty and responsibility of the city to protect and preserve the environment for the future generation under the context of "inter-generational responsibility as stated on a Supreme Court as held in the case of Oposa vs. Factoran, G.R. No. 101083 dated July 30,1993.
Ocampo emphasizes the need to protect and conserve the city’s own natural resources and shall not be compromised in the name of economy and development.
He said this is in response to various complaints, which the city received regarding the illegal quarry operations that continuously exploit the rivers.
On September 17, Talomo Police Station and Barangay Police of Catalunan Grande arrested four individuals engaged in illegal quarrying and extraction activities in Purok 41, Sitio Saavedra, Catalunan Grande.
These individuals have failed to present legal documents from the concerned government agencies to prove that their quarry operations are legal. Confiscated from them were two backhoes and a dump truck.
The arrested individuals including the caretaker face charges for violation of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
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Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo
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