Quarrying, deficient flood projects made flooding in Albay worse — groups | ABS-CBN
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Quarrying, deficient flood projects made flooding in Albay worse — groups
Quarrying, deficient flood projects made flooding in Albay worse — groups
Rowegie Abanto,
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 29, 2024 12:51 PM PHT
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Updated Oct 29, 2024 03:51 PM PHT
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Massive flooding in Barangay Paclas, Libon, Albay amid the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Photo courtesy of Claudine Bolante-Ludovice/File
Massive flooding in Barangay Paclas, Libon, Albay amid the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Photo courtesy of Claudine Bolante-Ludovice/FileMANILA — Environmental and advocacy groups have blamed quarrying and inadequate flood control projects in Albay for exacerbating extensive flooding and mudflows that submerged the province last week, calling for accountability from the mineral-extracting industry and government officials.
MANILA — Environmental and advocacy groups have blamed quarrying and inadequate flood control projects in Albay for exacerbating extensive flooding and mudflows that submerged the province last week, calling for accountability from the mineral-extracting industry and government officials.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine — the deadliest cyclone to hit the country this year — brought unprecedented rainfall to Albay, with the governor noting it received two months' worth of rain when the storm slammed into the province.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine — the deadliest cyclone to hit the country this year — brought unprecedented rainfall to Albay, with the governor noting it received two months' worth of rain when the storm slammed into the province.
But, national environmental network Kalikasan and Kabataan Party-List Bicol said, deficient flood control projects and rampant quarrying and mining significantly raised the area's flooding risk.
QUARRYING AND MINING IN ALBAY
Citing data from the provincial environment office, Kalikasan said more than 135 quarrying companies have permits to operate in Albay.
Citing data from the provincial environment office, Kalikasan said more than 135 quarrying companies have permits to operate in Albay.
In a Facebook post, Kalikasan showed quarrying companies operating around the active Mayon Volcano, which state volcanologists had warned before and during the storm's onslaught could produce hazardous lahar or mudflows due to intense rains.
In a Facebook post, Kalikasan showed quarrying companies operating around the active Mayon Volcano, which state volcanologists had warned before and during the storm's onslaught could produce hazardous lahar or mudflows due to intense rains.
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Quarrying sites around Mayon Volcano. Photo courtesy of KalikasanAs flooding subsided in parts of the province, photos of vehicles, roads, and houses covered in heavy mud and rock fragments soon emerged.
Quarrying sites around Mayon Volcano. Photo courtesy of KalikasanAs flooding subsided in parts of the province, photos of vehicles, roads, and houses covered in heavy mud and rock fragments soon emerged."It is not merely coincidence that most flooded areas are next to quarrying sites," Kalikasan said.
"It is not merely coincidence that most flooded areas are next to quarrying sites," Kalikasan said.
"The extractives-driven destruction of vital watersheds, coupled with poor disaster preparedness and response and deficient flood control projects, make these massive flooding events man-made disasters."
"The extractives-driven destruction of vital watersheds, coupled with poor disaster preparedness and response and deficient flood control projects, make these massive flooding events man-made disasters."
People Surge, a national alliance advocating for justice, aid, compensation, and rehabilitation for disaster survivors, noted that 369 firms were given mining permits in 2019 in Albay.
People Surge, a national alliance advocating for justice, aid, compensation, and rehabilitation for disaster survivors, noted that 369 firms were given mining permits in 2019 in Albay.
It said the permits were released despite previous warnings from a local government unit that the sudden increase in such licenses had made it difficult to monitor and regulate the entry of quarry and mining companies into their mountains.
It said the permits were released despite previous warnings from a local government unit that the sudden increase in such licenses had made it difficult to monitor and regulate the entry of quarry and mining companies into their mountains.
Enjo Sarmiento, a researcher with the Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, told Radyo 5 on Thursday that calls to shut down quarrying sites in Albay intensified after Super Typhoon Rolly hit Bicol region in 2020, saying they were a "big" factor in massive flooding at the time.
Enjo Sarmiento, a researcher with the Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment, told Radyo 5 on Thursday that calls to shut down quarrying sites in Albay intensified after Super Typhoon Rolly hit Bicol region in 2020, saying they were a "big" factor in massive flooding at the time.
ALBAY VOWS TO TIGHTEN QUARRYING REGULATIONS
Environmental groups have been campaigning against mining, quarrying, deforestation, land conversion, and other activities that destroy the mountains, forests, and other landscapes and areas seen as protective against flooding and landslides, such as the Sierra Madre mountain range, the Masungi Georeserve, and the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, one of the country's most critical watersheds.
Environmental groups have been campaigning against mining, quarrying, deforestation, land conversion, and other activities that destroy the mountains, forests, and other landscapes and areas seen as protective against flooding and landslides, such as the Sierra Madre mountain range, the Masungi Georeserve, and the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, one of the country's most critical watersheds.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ma. Teresa Atos said Monday that efforts are underway to strengthen environmental and natural resource preservation in Albay.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ma. Teresa Atos said Monday that efforts are underway to strengthen environmental and natural resource preservation in Albay.
Those measures include reinforcing quarrying regulations, implementing the Micro Watershed Program, enhancing mangrove management, and advancing the Solid Waste Management Program.
Those measures include reinforcing quarrying regulations, implementing the Micro Watershed Program, enhancing mangrove management, and advancing the Solid Waste Management Program.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this month reiterated the government's call for responsible mining, saying the country needs to leverage its abundant natural resources as global demand for critical minerals surged due to the need for more clean energy sources.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this month reiterated the government's call for responsible mining, saying the country needs to leverage its abundant natural resources as global demand for critical minerals surged due to the need for more clean energy sources.
Marcos added the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should strengthen its capability to regulate and ensure all mining operations comply with safety and environmental standards.
Marcos added the Department of Environment and Natural Resources should strengthen its capability to regulate and ensure all mining operations comply with safety and environmental standards.
FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS ALSO FACE SCRUTINY
After he surveyed widespread floods in Bicol on Saturday, Marcos underscored the need to focus on long-term flood control projects, particularly the Bicol River Basin Project.
After he surveyed widespread floods in Bicol on Saturday, Marcos underscored the need to focus on long-term flood control projects, particularly the Bicol River Basin Project.
"May flood control naman tayo eh. Pero hindi kaya 'yung ganitong kadaming tubig. Walang forecast na ganito eh. Ito climate change talaga ito. This is all new," Marcos said.
"May flood control naman tayo eh. Pero hindi kaya 'yung ganitong kadaming tubig. Walang forecast na ganito eh. Ito climate change talaga ito. This is all new," Marcos said.
(We have flood control measures in place, but they can’t handle this much water. There was no forecast for something like this. This is really due to climate change. All of this is new.)
(We have flood control measures in place, but they can’t handle this much water. There was no forecast for something like this. This is really due to climate change. All of this is new.)
Scientists say climate change is intensifying typhoons and producing extreme rainfall, prompting groups to urge governments to increase budgets for disaster preparedness and mitigation and to ramp up efforts against activities that destroy the environment.
Scientists say climate change is intensifying typhoons and producing extreme rainfall, prompting groups to urge governments to increase budgets for disaster preparedness and mitigation and to ramp up efforts against activities that destroy the environment.
"Carbon emissions have multiplied over the years due to capitalist self-interests on expansion. We must mitigate the effects of climate change by stopping these profit-driven destructive interests," Kalikasan said.
"Carbon emissions have multiplied over the years due to capitalist self-interests on expansion. We must mitigate the effects of climate change by stopping these profit-driven destructive interests," Kalikasan said.
Kabataan Party-List Bicol said that Filipinos' resilience in the face of disasters should not be an excuse for the "government's failure to adequately protect and prepare our communities."
Kabataan Party-List Bicol said that Filipinos' resilience in the face of disasters should not be an excuse for the "government's failure to adequately protect and prepare our communities."
It said that the government must make preparedness a priority over post-disaster responses like relief and rehabilitation.
It said that the government must make preparedness a priority over post-disaster responses like relief and rehabilitation.
'TOO POLITICIZED'
David D'Angelo, national president of the Green Party of the Philippines, pointed out in a Facebook post that severe flooding is also the result of the late implementation of project studies in flood-prone areas.
David D'Angelo, national president of the Green Party of the Philippines, pointed out in a Facebook post that severe flooding is also the result of the late implementation of project studies in flood-prone areas.
He said that delays in implementation can mean circumstances have changed before a project is completed.
He said that delays in implementation can mean circumstances have changed before a project is completed.
The environmental activist also said that funding and implementation of flood control projects are "too politicized" and lack genuine consultation with planning, environmental and hydrologic experts.
The environmental activist also said that funding and implementation of flood control projects are "too politicized" and lack genuine consultation with planning, environmental and hydrologic experts.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Social media posts during the height of Kristine's devastation alleged that only P9 billion was budgeted for flood control in Bicol.
Social media posts during the height of Kristine's devastation alleged that only P9 billion was budgeted for flood control in Bicol.
This was disputed by Sen. Joel Villanueva on Friday, who said that a combined P61.42 billion was earmarked for the province's flood mitigation program for 2023 and 2024.
This was disputed by Sen. Joel Villanueva on Friday, who said that a combined P61.42 billion was earmarked for the province's flood mitigation program for 2023 and 2024.
"So ito dapat tingnan nating mabuti sa budget deliberation, kung saan talaga napupunta ito, may impact ba talaga itong ginagawang flood control projects and programs ng ating pamahalaan," Villanueva said.
"So ito dapat tingnan nating mabuti sa budget deliberation, kung saan talaga napupunta ito, may impact ba talaga itong ginagawang flood control projects and programs ng ating pamahalaan," Villanueva said.
(So, we should closely examine this during the budget deliberations: where the funds are really going and whether the flood control projects and programs of our government are having a real impact.)
(So, we should closely examine this during the budget deliberations: where the funds are really going and whether the flood control projects and programs of our government are having a real impact.)
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, whose home province of Sorsogon also saw widespread flooding, said that Congress "will not only exact accountability but also make sure the 2025 budget will provide preventive measures to avoid a recurrence [of this flooding]." —with reports from Pia Gutierrez and RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, whose home province of Sorsogon also saw widespread flooding, said that Congress "will not only exact accountability but also make sure the 2025 budget will provide preventive measures to avoid a recurrence [of this flooding]." —with reports from Pia Gutierrez and RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
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