CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Public Works and Highways urged the local government units to enforce laws regulating quarrying activities located near major dikes in their areas of jurisdiction.
Engineer Luisito Sibug, DPWH division chief said, the indiscriminate quarrying near the dike has put the structure in danger.
The engineer said, quarrying may be allowed upon issuance of permit from concerned agency, twenty meters from the toe of the dike.
“No quarrying should be done within 20 meters from the dike’s easement,” he added.
Sibug said, as agency of the government, they have no police power to stop and prevent illegal quarrying.
“Our only power is to construct structure and infrastructure facilities of the national government. The local government unit has the police power to enforce laws regulating quarrying activities,” he said.
During the meeting with Governor Lilia G. Pineda and DPWH officials, Floridablanca Mayor Eddie Guerrero urged the department to manage the issuance of quarry permit to private operators involving tributaries and waterways near the dikes identified as heavily silted.
It was learned that the river channels and other tributaries are within the authority of the DPWH.
Guerrero said, the provision of spoil materials for free to quarry operators may help in the desilting of waterways in his municipality.
However, Sibug said, the mayor and DPWH should provide guidelines and indicators where quarry operators would be allowed to desilt.
By Joel P. Mapiles – PIO Pampanga
