ON THE FIRST day of her return to the Capitol on Monday, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia issued directives stopping all quarrying activities, projects under the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO), and the P1.3 billion Capitol Resource Center project. “It is hereby ordered and enjoined, WT Construction Inc., and any and all persons acting on its behalf, to stop and permanently discontinue any and all activities relative to the construction of the Cebu Resource Center Project,” reads the executive order dated June 30 this year. Ms. Garcia said the center, meant to be the flagship project of her predecessor, now Vice Governor Hilario P. Davide III, is allegedly anomalous. The governor also issued a memo to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, treasurer’s office, and Cebu Provincial Police Office directing the stoppage of quarrying activities in the province. “To put a stop to the unabated illegal quarrying activities in the province and to prevent the further degradation of the environment which causes calamities that result in massive destruction of properties and loss of human lives, and in view of my administration’s decision to review all Sand and Gravel (SAG) permits issued by the province,” the memo reads. In a separate memo to the provincial engineer, Ms. Garcia ordered the suspension “of any and all work relative to projects that are undertaken by your department, as well as to serve notice to all concerned contractors of said suspension.” The PEO was given 48 hours to submit a detailed report of all its programs and activities, including projects accomplished, continuing, and for implementation. — The Freeman

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