Illegal quarriers in Toledo river asked to stop

More than 200 individuals engaged in illegal sand and gravel extraction along the Hinulawan River in Toledo City have been ordered to cease operations after a recent inspection revealed widespread environmental damage caused by unregulated quarrying.

- 

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) confirmed that the discovery followed Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s unannounced inspection of the area on Friday, October 24.

The visit came in response to mounting complaints from residents and environmental groups over the worsening state of the river.

PENRO head Rodel Bontuyan said the inspection revealed that hundreds of individuals have been manually extracting sand and gravel along various sections of the Hinulawan River, spanning several barangays including Dumlog, Sangi, Ilihan, Canlumampao, Magdugo (Juan Climaco Sr.), and Cambang-ug.

According to Bontuyan, the river stretches from Carmen Copper Mine down to the Tañon Strait, making it naturally rich in sediment deposits.

However, he noted that much of the material being gathered comes from mine waste carried downstream, which has made the area a hotspot for quarrying activities.