Gov. Garcia calls for nullification of quarry firms’ MPSA

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia calls for the nullification of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of huge quarry companies that are said to have committed several violations of Province’s resource ordinance and the Philippine Mining Act.

- Le Phyllis F. Antojado

In a press conference held at the Governor’s office yesterday, Garcia cited several violations the Province reportedly found in the operations of Apo Land Quarry Corporation (ALQC) and Solid Development Corporation (SEDC), particularly on the MPSAs.

“I will have to call for the revocation of these MPSAs,” Garcia said during her press conference.

“So what we will do now is to go by pointing out of the violation of Section 19, so, therefore, all MPSAs that have existing communities and public structures or near highways, and bridges, tanan nga naka-enumerate (in Section 19 of the Philippine Mining Act) ...so dapat gani motu propio mao na ilang buhaton, dili kay kinahanglanon nga i-cancel na oy, kay sila man ang ni-violate, these MPSAs are in violation of Section 19,” Garcia added.

Garcia said she already sent a letter addressed to Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about the Capitol’s concerns on the MPSAs issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to ALQC and SEDC, which the Capitol found to have violated the law.

As of now, Garcia has extended the cease-and-desist order she imposed on all the earth moving operations of both companies for a month, pending the environmental audit and comprehensive area risk assessment conducted.