WHEREAS, the various quarrying and crushing operations in Rodriguez and San Mateo, Rizal have caused apprehension among the public in view of the possible flooding problems related to the La Ni a phenomenon;

WHEREAS, several of these quarrying and crushing operations have been issued with Cease and Desist Orders (CDOs) and/or Notices of Violations (NOVs) due to inadequate mitigation and rehabilitation measures to address the concerns of erosion and siltation;

WHEREAS, the situation of existing flood-prone areas in Rodriguez and San Mateo, Rizal can further deteriorate due to unmitigated quarrying and crushing operations and threaten the safety of inhabitants in the area due to impending La Ni a Phenomenon;

WHEREAS, the Monitoring Team constituted under the Multi-Sectoral Committee created pursuant to DENR Memorandum Order No. 98-06, as amended, has determined that several quarrying and crushing operations have violated the terms and conditions of their Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECCs);

WHEREAS, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Provincial Government of Rizal have duly acknowledged these public concerns and at the same time allowed the concerned quarry and crushing plant operators to set in place the necessary mitigation and rehabilitation measures;

WHEREAS, it is recognized that the threat of any impending flooding in the said localities can be addressed by concentrating on mitigation and rehabilitation measures to ensure that the quarrying and crushing operations shall not aggravate any flooding incidence;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order No. 192, the DENR is empowered to regulate quarrying and related operations and enforce environmental laws for the protection of the public and in the interest of general welfare and if necessary impose sanctions where such operations are found to pose imminent danger to lives and properties;

NOW, WHEREFORE, all quarrying operations including blasting, stripping and development activities are hereby ordered SUSPENDED under the following conditions:

1. All blasting and quarrying operations in the municipalities of Rodriguez and San Mateo, Province of Rizal are hereby TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED for a period of thirty (30) days from receipt of this Order;

2. During the suspension period, crushing and hauling operations shall be limited to the utilization of aggregate raw materials already stockpiled in the quarry and crushing plant sites;

3. Further, during said suspension period, all concerned quarry and crushing plant operators are mandated to institute necessary environmental protection and rehabilitation measures to address the problems of erosion and siltation;

4. The DENR, in coordination with LLDA and concerned LGUs, shall conduct continuous monitoring of compliances with the above mandated protection/rehabilitation measures;

5. No company/permittee shall be allowed to resume operations without first complying with said environmental protection/rehabilitation measures, subject to the evaluation by the DENR, and the submission/approval of appropriate mining plan, mine rehabilitation plan, environmental protection and enhancement program (EPEP), and the establishment of appropriate EGF/CLRF.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 21 Sept. 1998

(SGD.) ANTONIO H. CERILLES
Secretary