DAVAO CITY – Residents and barangay officials in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, are opposing the permit renewal of Horizon Concrete Products Corporation due to environmental concerns, including water contamination in Pilan River.
Zone II barangay captain Myla Garcia Arellano expressed support for residents affected by the quarry operations, which she said deprive them of clean water and harm the ecotourism potential of Pilan River.
“Pilan River has been declared an ecotourism destination, which should be preserved at all costs,” Arellano said in an interview Thursday.
The company seeks to renew its five-year Industrial Sand and Gravel (ISAG) permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). However, Horizon is required to secure the approval of affected barangays through a consultative meeting.
During Wednesday’s meeting, officials from Barangays Zone II, Zone IV, and Sinuron joined residents in protesting against the renewal. Zone IV barangay captain Juniper Solamo criticized the quarry operations for contaminating water sources.
“The residents here are clamoring for clean water. They cannot even do the laundry because the water is dirty,” Solamo said.
Barangay Sinuron chief Orlando Rivera echoed these concerns, highlighting the impact on Indigenous Peoples in the area, particularly the Bagobo Tagabawa community. Elder Council member Matanam Edmundo Udal opposed the renewal, citing damage to their fishing grounds in Pilan River.
Mayor Jose Nelson Sala assured the protesters of his support and pledged to investigate the company’s compliance with environmental regulations.
Meanwhile, Horizon Concrete Products Corporation plant administrative officer Elsa Montecillo defended the company’s operations, asserting their legality.
“You can go to the MGB office and check if what we are doing is illegal,” Montecillo said in an interview on Thursday.
The permit renewal is scheduled for review on Dec. 13. (PNA)