By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

After Kabankalan City quarry operator Melvin Ibañez was accused of issuing fake quarry coupons, which were used for the extraction and delivery of sand and gravel by private operators, the Negros Occidental provincial government has since created a multi-sectoral monitoring team to ensure the protection of the environment and to prevent illegal quarry operations.

Provincial Environmental Management officer, Atty. Wilfred M. Peñalosa, said the group will be composed of personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Environmental Management Bureau, both division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; along with representatives from the provincial government.

He added, “We are also keeping a close watch on the capacity of river systems to replenish, following quarry operations in their areas.”

Provincial Legal Office head, Atty. Jose Ma. Valencia, explained quarry operations need to be closely monitored to prevent erosion and damage to bridge structures.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is filing 3,049 counts of falsification of public document charges today against Ibañez, Valencia said./DGB, WDJ