By Edalyn Acta
The Capiz Provincial Environmental Resources Office (CaPENRO) is strengthening its fight against illegal quarrying or even against violations of quarrying.
“We mean business. We are taking this seriously,” said Ronald Allan Cullo, the acting chief of CaPENRO.
Last February 19, CaPENRO enforced the cease and desist order against permit holder Julie Ann Azarcon in the Municipality of Ivisan.
The Azarcon quarry operations in Brgy. Malocloc Sur had seven different violations of the Small Scale Mining an Quarry Ordinance.
According to Cullo, the administration of Governor Fredenil Castro has made the campaign against illegal quarrying a priority.
Cullo told The Capiz Times that since Castro became governor, CaPENRO has stepped up its operations to stop violators.
While Cullo does not have the exact data, the Provincial Government of Capiz has collected more than P6 million as penalty fees from various quarry operators for violations.
For Cullo, collecting penalty fees is not the main agenda, but to minimize the irreparable damage to the environment.
Cullo explained that CaPENRO has to make sure that quarry operators adhere to laws and policies to protect the natural wealth of Capiz.
