The Cebu Provincial Government has created a multi-agency task force to strengthen monitoring of mineral resources and ensure compliance with existing laws on quarrying and sand operations.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro issued Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2026, establishing the Cebu Provincial Minerals Task Force, an inter-agency body tasked with overseeing the transport and handling of mineral products across the province.
The move aims to tighten supervision not only over locally sourced materials but also shipments entering Cebu from other areas.
The task force brings together various agencies, including law enforcement, port authorities, and environmental regulators, to enforce compliance at every stage—from extraction to delivery.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rodel Bontuyan said the task force will improve coordination among agencies involved in regulating mineral movements.
“Kung tan-awon nato ang kining EO nga nigawas, it will strengthen coordination between the agencies members sa task force,” Bontuyan said.
He added that Cebu receives a significant volume of mineral resources from outside the province, making multi-agency involvement necessary.
Bontuyan emphasized that the executive order was not prompted by a regulatory gap but aims to ensure that provincial ordinances are faithfully implemented.
“Wala jud syay ingon nga gap but just to ensure that the ordinance is faithfully implemented,” he said.
Among the measures under the order are stricter port regulations, requiring shipments of quarry materials and other minerals to undergo document verification before unloading.
Authorities are tasked with checking transport slips, permits, and proof of payment of regulatory fees, with non-compliant shipments subject to denial of entry or impoundment.
The task force is also authorized to establish land checkpoints and conduct inspections to ensure transported materials are properly documented.
Bontuyan said the coverage mainly applies to operators under provincial jurisdiction, currently fewer than 20.
Large-scale mining operations have separate monitoring systems, while the task force focuses on tracking mineral movements within and into Cebu.
Recent provincial inspections revealed discrepancies in reported extraction volumes, prompting enforcement actions.
“Naa’y mga operators nga naay mga nalapas—naa’y volume nga naa’y diperensya sa ilahang total nga nabayaran diri sa capitol unsay volume nga na-extract,” Bontuyan said.
Some operators were temporarily suspended for violations, but none had permits permanently revoked as they had already expired.
With the task force now in place, provincial officials expect more coordinated and consistent enforcement of rules governing mineral transport.
“Mapa-strengthen jud ni sha kay interagency nga operation mani siya,” Bontuyan said. (SBA)
Image: DENR
Comments