MGB halts quarrying along Sacobia River at Clark sub-zone stretch

August 8, 2017 - 4:34 PM
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Googlemap Sacobia River
Map shows Sacobia River where further quarrying activities have been prohibited.

CLARK FREEPORT – Some 24 quarry operators have been barred from further taking out lahar and sand from Sacobia River apparently due to over-exploitation, potentially placing government and private infrastructures at risk in the event of massive lahar flow.

The directive was issued by government scientists who recently conducted a comprehensive study of lahar deposits at the upstream and downstream portion of the Sacobia River.

“We noted major shifting of the river channel moving toward the Clark perimeter fence,” said Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Division chief Noel Lacadin during a meeting with provincial and local government officials and including representatives of Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

Lacadin said the channel shifting can endanger farm lots and residences in the event of severe erosion.

In his report: Rapid Assessment On The Identification Of Potential Quarry Areas and Geo-hazards in Sacobia River, Lacadin recommended immediate rehabilitation of areas where “over-extraction” of sand and lahar materials have been observed.

Art Punzalan, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), agreed with the findings of MGB. “We have to suspend quarrying along Sacobia River to protect our environment.”

Punzalan accompanied Governor Lilia Pineda in the top level discussion on the Sacobia River geo-hazard assessment.

“We might reach the point of totally prohibiting quarrying in all of Pampanga because of overexploitation,” Punzalan told reporters.

Sand from Pampanga’s rivers are sought after by construction firms due to its favorable quality.

Most of the quarry permit holders are enterprising Aetas. The Sacobia River is situated within the boundaries of Mabalacat City in Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac which is under their ancestral domain.

Aeta residents near Sacobia River have been collecting quarry fees from truckers and sand haulers. The proceeds are disbursed for their community’s gains.

The provincial government or PENRO have the control over quarry operations except along Sacobia River which is under the Aeta.

Lacadin also advised quarry operators to strictly follow the prescribed extraction parameters.