100 signatures reached
To: Department of Environment and Natural Resources
PETITION TO STOP ALL QUARRY OPERATIONS IN MINALABAC, CAMARINES SUR
Urgent Appeal to Stop All Quarry Operations in Minalabac, Camarines Sur: Protect Our Water, Infrastructure, Safety from Flooding, and Fundamental Human Rights
TO:
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-EMB Region 5)
- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB Region 5)
- Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) – Camarines Sur
- Office of the Provincial Governor – Camarines Sur
- Bagong Minalabac LGU & Sangguniang Bayan of Minalabac
- Commission on Human Rights (CHR Region 5)
STATEMENT OF CALL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS:
We, the residents, community members, and concerned citizens of Minalabac, Camarines Sur, urgently petition the DENR, MGB, PMRB, and our Local Government Unit to immediately suspend, cancel, and stop all ongoing and proposed quarry operations across the municipality of Minalabac.
While economic development and public infrastructure projects are vital, they must not come at the expense of our people’s safety, living conditions, and fundamental human rights.
Our communities are suffering from severe environmental degradation, public safety hazards, and human rights violations caused by continuous quarrying activities:
1. Violation of the Right to Safety and Life (Threat of Unprecedented Flooding)
Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Philippine Constitution, every citizen has an inherent right to life, security, and safety. The stripping of mountain topsoil, destruction of forest cover, and removal of natural rock barriers upstream have eliminated Minalabac’s natural watershed defenses. As a result, low-lying communities are now subjected to sudden, unnatural flash runoffs, heavy mudslides, and unprecedented flooding in areas that historically never flooded in the past. This directly endangers human lives, residential homes, and livestock during heavy rain.
2. Violation of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation
Living in the highland area of Minalabac means water is naturally scarce, but our communities were blessed with busay (natural springs), streams, and clean wells. Upstream quarrying has disrupted groundwater aquifers and catchment areas, leaving primary water sources — such as streams in Zone 1, Hobo and neighboring barangays—severely depleted, dried up, or contaminated with silt. Under UN Resolution 64/292 and Republic Act No. 9275 (Clean Water Act), access to safe, clean drinking and domestic water is a protected human right that is being actively violated.
3. Violation of the Right to a Balanced and Healthful Ecology & Health
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The persistent airborne dust, structural vibrations, loss of green space, and noise pollution from quarry site activity and heavy truck traffic threaten the respiratory health, peace of mind, and general well-being of residents along transport routes.
4. Destruction of Local Infrastructure and Public Safety Hazards
Continuous passage of overloaded quarry haul trucks exceeds the weight capacity of local roads, causing severe structural cracks, potholes, and damage to municipal roads and overflow bridges. This creates severe daily transport hazards for commuters and school children, while consuming public funds meant for local infrastructure maintenance.
OUR PRAYERS & DEMANDS:
We respectfully demand that the recipient government agencies take immediate action to:
- Issue an Immediate Cease and Desist Order (CDO) / Moratorium on all active quarry extraction and hauling activities in Minalabac while a comprehensive human rights and technical environmental audit is conducted.
- Conduct an On-Site Hydrogeological, Disaster Risk, and Environmental Audit by DENR-EMB, MGB Region 5, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to evaluate flood vulnerability, water depletion, and aquifer damage in affected barangays.
- Investigate Human Rights Violations. Request the Commission on Human Rights (CHR Region 5) to conduct an independent inquiry into the impact of quarrying on residents' rights to water, sanitation, health, and disaster safety.
- Review Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) and Permits. Investigate whether operators have breached spatial buffer zones (DAO 2010-21, Sec. 79a) near water bodies (busay and riverbeds) and failed to maintain required siltation and flood control ponds.
- Mandate Load Weight Enforcement & Infrastructure Repair. Compel DPWH and Bagong Minalabac LGU to strictly enforce axle-load limits on haul trucks and hold quarry operators financially responsible for repairing damaged public roads and bridges.
- Ensure Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Require operators under their Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) commitments to fund the immediate restoration of affected water catchments, reforestation, and flood mitigation structures.
Why is this important?
One voice can be ignored, but an entire united town cannot. Whether you live in the highlands, the coastals, or the lowlands, this is OUR town, OUR water, OUR mountains, and OUR future. Join us by signing the petition, sharing your story, and taking a stand for Minalabac!
How it will be delivered
Notice to Signatories: All signatures collected will be attached as formal annexes to our community petition filed directly with DENR and other relevant agencies.