Quarry suspension ‘threatens’ 3,000 jobs
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has issued two executive orders against Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) in the City of Naga and Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) in San Fernando town, ordering both companies to stop their quarrying operations starting at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, for 30 days. The cease-and-desist order for ALQC was the third issued against the company, while the order against SEDC was the second. The directive aims to continue the environmental audit, comprehensive area risk assessment and determination of the carrying capacity of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement areas where the companies operate. The photo, taken Tuesday, shows the ALQC quarry site.
IF LEFT unresolved, the suspension of operations of Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) in the City of Naga, southern Cebu, could affect the livelihood of up to 3,000 people.
This concern was raised by Mayor Valdemar Chiong in an interview with SunStar on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
Chiong said the suspension of operations might result in employment uncertainty for between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals who are directly employed by contractors involved in quarrying and the company’s overall operations.
Cement production could also be impacted, as ALQC supplies materials for
Apo Cement.
“I just hope that this will be resolved because the direction for the employees is still unclear,” he said in Cebuano.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against ALQC on Monday, Feb. 17, halting all its quarrying activities.
Garcia’s order extended a previous CDO that expired on Feb. 10. The governor had initially issued her first CDO against ALQC on Dec. 2, 2024.
Expensive raw materials
Chiong said production would be affected as the company might be forced to use more expensive raw materials for cement production, whereas the limestone present in the area is cheaper.
“If they stop operations, many will be affected. If no one supplies limestone, the kiln will have to rely on more expensive alternatives,” he said in Cebuano.
Chiong acknowledged the Provincial Government’s authority to enforce environmental regulations but expressed hope for a resolution soon, as the CDO has already been extended three times in the past two months.
“I understand that the governor has cited violations. If there are violations, it’s difficult, but I hope this gets resolved,” he said.
ALQC operates in Barangays Pangdan, Tinaan, Naalad, Mainit, Inoburan and Langtad.
SunStar visited Barangay Inoburan near the ALQC quarry site on Feb. 18 and observed no operations taking place. Most residents rely on agriculture, primarily planting vegetables and raising cows.
SunStar attempted to interview some residents near the quarry; however, they refused to speak out of fear without elaborating.
A separate CDO was issued against Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) in the neighboring town of San Fernando.
SEDC, which supplies raw materials for Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc., declined to issue a statement.
SunStar also visited the office of San Fernando Mayor Mytha Canoy but found she was not available for comment. (CDF)
Source: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/quarry-suspension-threatens-3k-jobs?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjao1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdz4etM2VH1xE95ACXMk8VMH3XNcowEGiQVHcrczTweOW-NRWl6W7McNNQ_aem_dBFncoMmNXNBLmg_HdqX4A
