Davao City councilor seeks review of quarrying impact

DAVAO CITY Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta has blocked the approval of new quarrying activities in the city, and sought a review by environment agencies on the impact of existing operations. Ms. Acosta tasked the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to lead the assessment of whether there has been “over-quarrying” of the city’s rivers. “We should go on the path of sustainable development. Meaning, we must not just look at the demand of the time alone,” said Ms. Acosta at a council session last week when one of her colleagues, Councilor Rene Elias B. Lopez, pushed for the approval of one quarrying application in his district. Ms. Acosta noted that there are 63 pending applications for quarrying operations before the council, and said that a review is necessary before any approval is given. — Carmelito Q. Francisco