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DENR inspects Cebu town's marine life for effects of dolomite extraction

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/09/22/viber_image_2020-09-22_17-24-20.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>CEBU - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas on Tuesday inspected the marine ecosystem of Alcoy town in Cebu to check the effects of dolomite extraction.</p><p>Alcoy Mayor Michael Sestoso said the heavy siltation of the town&#x27;s seawater was due to the mining of crushed dolomites that had accumulated over time.</p><p>He said though that the mining of dolomite rocks for Manila Bay&#x27;s beautification project did not had any effect on the local environment.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/08/20/gwen-garcia-cease-and-desist-order-dolomite-mining-cebu-for-manila-bay-white-sand-project-denr">Cebu gov orders mining halt in dolomite source for Manila Bay</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/06/20/many-laws-violated-in-dumping-of-fake-sand-in-manila-bay-group">&#x27;Many laws&#x27; violated in dumping of fake sand in Manila Bay: group</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/20/cost-of-manila-bay-white-sand-project-dolomite-dilg-denr">Criticisms on Manila Bay beautification &#x27;misplaced,&#x27; only P28-M spent for white sand: DILG</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/21/20/what-do-you-want-us-to-do-duterte-defends-manila-bay-crushed-dolomite-project">&#x27;What do you want us to do?&#x27;: Duterte defends Manila Bay crushed dolomite project</a></li></ul><p>Dolomite mining, Sestoso said, has become a source of livelihood for locals.</p><p>&quot;Seventy to 80 percent of the employees of the dolomite mining is from the town of Alcoy,&quot; he said.</p><p>The mayor appealed to the provincial government to allow the mining companies to operate because it helped boost the town&#x27;s economy.</p><p>For now, Sestoso said exportation of crushed dolomite is allowed, while selling of the rocks to locals has stopped.</p><p>&quot;The dolomite is exported to the countries of Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea,&quot; he said.</p><p>An inspection conducted by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) showed the town&#x27;s corals and seabed had turned white due to heavy siltation.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/20/cebu-govt-eyes-charges-vs-dolomite-mining-firms">Cebu gov&#x27;t eyes charges vs dolomite mining firms</a></li></ul><p>Cebu province is considering filing charges against 2 mining firms involved in the production of crushed dolomite over their non-compliance with local tax ordinances and requirements.</p><p>Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia earlier ordered the Philippine Mining Service Corporation and the Dolomite Mining Corporation to halt their operations.</p><p>The governor will allow the companies to resume their operations once they pay local taxes and secure a waste disposal permit as marine biologists are set to examine the supposed damage their mining caused to nearby bodies of water, according to Cebu provincial board member Jimbo Borgonia.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1377632" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar"><em>Courtesy of Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office</em></div><div><strong>- With a report from DX Lapid</strong></div>

<p>The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas on Tuesday inspected the marine ecosystem of Alcoy town in Cebu to check the effects of dolomite extraction.<br /> </p>

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas on Tuesday inspected the marine ecosystem of Alcoy town in Cebu to check the effects of dolomite extraction.