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DavNor to put up own quarry for infra projects

By Che Palicte

August 20, 2019, 3:32 pm

<p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: sans-serif;"><strong>QUARRY PROJECT.</strong> Governor Edwin Jubahib (center with hood) gives instructions during a visit at the quarry site in Sampao, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, on Saturday (August 17, 2018). He warned against stockpiling sand and gravel in the middle of the river, which could affect the flow of water and may aggravate flooding during heavy rainfall. <em>(Photo by Noel Baguio)</em><br /></span></p>

QUARRY PROJECT. Governor Edwin Jubahib (center with hood) gives instructions during a visit at the quarry site in Sampao, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, on Saturday (August 17, 2018). He warned against stockpiling sand and gravel in the middle of the river, which could affect the flow of water and may aggravate flooding during heavy rainfall. (Photo by Noel Baguio)

DAVAO CITY – The provincial government of Davao del Norte will operate its own quarry sites to adequately provide the sand and gravel (SAG) requirement for its infrastructure development program.

A press release issued by the Provincial Information Office (PIO) on Tuesday said the project is expected to be carried out before yearend.

The PIO quoted Governor Edwin Jubahib as saying that owning an exclusive quarry site would enable the government to stop sourcing its needs from private operators.

“We should have our own exclusive quarry resources so that we will no longer be at the mercy of private operators for our projects,” Jubahib said.

The governor said they surveyed potential quarry areas in the towns of Kapalong, Talaingod, Sto. Tomas, and Carmen on Saturday to verify their viability.

He earlier bared his infrastructure program, which includes the expansion of road networks, flood control facilities, and scores of other important projects that would benefit disadvantaged sectors, particularly remote villages.

In a previous interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Jubahib said infrastructure development is a key element of the Task Force (TF) Davao del Norte initiative.

“The task force is not only solely for the security measures of the province but we also put various projects for infrastructure developments, such as prioritizing the desilting of our river to avoid flooding problems,” Jubahib said.

He also voiced optimism over the prospect of the province generating huge revenues derived from selling sand and gravel.

Last year, the province collected a total of PHP37.9 million from the enforcement of its environmental policies, particularly proceeds from quarry permits and share of extraction fees.

“The province could triple or more its collections when the operation of SAG quarries is realized. We expect to earn more than PHP100 million annually with our own quarry sites,” he said.

Jubahib said he has already instructed the provincial environment and natural resources office (PENRO) to fast-track the processing of needed documents for the exclusive industrial SAG quarries of the province.

He also warned the quarry operators to immediately remove SAG stockpiles left in the middle of the rivers, so as not to impede the free flow of rivers and aggravate flooding during heavy rainfall. (PNA)

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