A plea to the DENR

Yesterday marked the first day in office of the newly-elected and reelected local government officials.

- DR. JUN YNARES

They would not have yet warmed their seats and they are already confronted with the challenges that come with the onset of the “habagat” and typhoon season. In the next few months, the disaster management and relief operations resources of LGUs will experience serious strain as they deal with massive flooding and landslides triggered by the howlers that come at this time of the year.

At this time of the year, public discussions are expected to focus once again on the degradation of the environment and how this contributes to the unprecedented levels of flooding experienced in many parts of the country.

This is why the Provincial Government of Rizal reiterated an urgent plea last week to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

This was a plea we first conveyed to the DENR 15 years ago.

The plea is for the national government, through the DENR, to stop all forms of quarrying and mining in the Province of Rizal.

The plea became urgent as we found out that the DENR had just recently approved the issuance of permits for mining and quarrying activities covering an additional 2,928 hectares of land in the province. Most of these permits will allow the mining and quarrying entities to conduct their activities until 2048.

At this point, in situations like this, the best that an LGU can do is to plead.