In defiance of most basic environmental tenets

I am so thankful to see the Inquirer’s Oct. 19 editorial cartoon (by Gilbert Daroy) depicting illegal quarrying in Mount Banahaw. I myself am against quarrying in our municipality (Sariaya, Quezon). In fact, I have submitted a formal report/complaint to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office has since initiated an on-site investigation.

However, I disagree with the assertions made by MGB Region 4 Director Samuel T. Paragas in his letter titled “No quarrying in Banahaw park” (Inquirer, 11/5/12).

1. MGB Region 4, through Paragas, has been liberal in the issuance of permits for quarrying in restricted areas; and, through its “scientists,” has recommended the “lifting of suspension of quarry operations” within the Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape.

2. The views advanced by Paragas defy the most basic environmental tenets relative to sustainable environment protection. His views are only meant to justify the deliberate and indiscriminate destruction of our environment.

3. Pictures of the destruction of our “protected landscape” can be seen in my Facebook account; the authenticity and accurateness of the pictures have been attested by the parish community of Sariaya, Quezon.

4. We are waiting for MGB’s action on my complaint/report.

—CECILIO L. SEDENIO, municipal planning and evelopment coordinator, Municipality of Sariaya, Province of Quezon