DEPUTIZATION. Col. Alex Recinto, acting police provincial director of Negros Oriental, says on Tuesday (June 20, 2023) that they need to be deputized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau before they can go after illegal quarry operations. Governor Manuel Sagarbarria has directed the PNP provincial director to step up their campaign against illegal quarrying. (PNA file photo)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) is seeking deputization from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to go after anti-illegal quarry operations.
Col. Alex Recinto, acting police provincial director, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that this is in response to a directive from Governor Manuel Sagarbarria to step up operations against illegal quarrying in the province.
“We first need to undergo a seminar and then be deputized by the MGB before we embark on operations against illegal quarry and similar activities as ordered by the governor,” Recinto said.
Sagarbarria, in his memorandum order addressed to the NOPPO recently, noted that pursuant to the Local Government Code, the governor has the sole authority to issue a permit for the extraction of sand, gravel, and quarry resources.
He told the police to go after illegal quarry operations “without fear or favor.”
While waiting for the deputation orders, Recinto said they are coordinating with the province’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) to provide security when needed.
However, in instances such as during inspection at checkpoints, the police can still flag down a vehicle transporting quarry materials and ask for documents and permits in coordination with the ENRD, Recinto, a lawyer, said. (PNA)
