MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday suspended quarrying activities in select regions, following a landslide that left at least 22 people dead in Naga City, Cebu.

The regions covered by the halt order are Ilocos, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga. The measure, effective Sept. 21, will be in place for 15 days, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said.

“I ordered the review and assessment of all quarry operations all-over the country to determine the safety of the quarry operations in the area most especially the surrounding community,” Cimatu told reporters.

The 2-week suspension will allow the government to review and re-validate quarrying activities focusing on operations in mountainous terrains and areas considered as geo-hazard zones.

"Minarapat niya (Cimatu) na i-suspend muna for the mean time lahat ng quarrying operations nationwide para ma inspect natin, makita natin 'yung talagang may hazards,” DENR Usec. For Policy & Planning Atty. Jonas Leones told DZMM.

“Malakas kasi ang mga ulan ngayon hindi na natin masabi kung ano yung safe, kaya stop muna, mag evaluate i-assess, para magkaroon tayo ng magandang policy dyan,” he added.

Cimatu has also ordered the suspension of Apo Land and Quarry Corp. operations in different sites in the Philippines. ALQC held the mining rights to the area where the landslide in Naga City happened.

• Death toll jumps to 22 in Naga, Cebu landslide

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Meanwhile, rescuers and residents in the mining town of Itogon, Benguet have been asked to seek safer grounds on Friday due to the threat of another landslide.

This, after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau warned that the area was prone to another landslide.

Ompong, the world's strongest typhoon this year, smashed through northern Luzon over the weekend, triggering floods and landslides in different parts of the country.