Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ordered the suspension of two dolomite firms in Alcoy, Cebu, after an inspection conducted today (Friday, 25 September), pending the results of the investigation for the alleged coral reef damage, water quality monitoring, and ambient air quality.

Cimatu suspended the Dolomite Mining Corporation (DMC) for its quarry operations and Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC), a processing plant for dolomite.

He directed the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau in Region 7 to conduct a water quality sampling on waters below the conveyor at the shiploading facility, and ambient air quality.

He also ordered the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources-Cebu to conduct a coral assessment to determine the health condition of the corals which was the subject of the complaint by the Provincial Government of Cebu.

Cimatu also instructed the DENR-Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 7 to convene the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of Cebu chaired by MGB-7 Regional Director to discuss mining related concerns.

There was no ongoing mineral processing and shiploading operations during the inspection.

DMC, the only large-scale producer of dolomite materials, is a holder of a 25-year Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) denominated as MPSA No. 208-2005VII covering 524.6103 hectares of dolomite property located within the municipalities of Alcoy and Dalaguete, Cebu and to expire in 2030.

PMSC is a holder of a mineral processing permit denominated as MPP-007-2005VII which will expire in 2023, undertaking the crushing and screening of the raw materials. #

*Information came from DENR-Region 7 planning officer who is personally with Secretary Cimatu today (Sept 25, 2020).