Joint team from city, prov’l LGU of NegOr seize 90 illegally collected sacks of sand

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Thursday 16th of February 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- A joint team from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) together with the Provincial Environment Natural Resources Division (ENRD) seized 90 illegally collected sacks of sand from the Banica River in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Dumaguete City ENRO Officer Dick Encabo said his team and the ENRD immediately went to the site after receiving a report on the ongoing activities along and near the spillway of Barangays Taclobo and Bagacay.

Upon the arrival of the team, the illegal extractors hastily left the area, Encabo disclosed.

Residents of the area were then informed by the team about the provincial ordinance prohibiting individuals to collect sand along Banica River without permits from the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).

Encabo clarified to the residents the implementation and enforcement of the provincial ordinance.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong, sands from uphill have piled along the Banica River attracting illegal extractors to collect the sands without the necessary DENR permit.

Encabo explained to the residents living near the area that illegal sand quarrying can damage the riverbed and endanger their lives as well.

The continuous illegal collection of sand from the river would cause soil erosion, resulting to floods, said Encabo.

“Kadtong nanginabuhi sa pagpanguha ug balas diha sa suba sa Banica, mangita nalang sila ug laing trabaho, kay dili mi magpanuko sa pagdakop nila kon dilin sila motuman sa balaod (Those who depend on illegal quarrying for income should find another means of livelihood because we will not hesitate to apprehend them if they do not follow the law),” Encabo warned. (FCR/JCT/PIA-NegOr)