By Nimfa Estrellado Residents of Barangay Lalo gather to protest the proposed quarrying project along the Alitao River. (Photo from Jay Lim/...
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| Residents of Barangay Lalo gather to protest the proposed quarrying project along the Alitao River. (Photo from Jay Lim/FB) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon - Across Quezon Province, a region blessed with abundant natural resources, communities are rising to defend their land and water from the destructive force of quarrying. This struggle ignited a decade ago when citizens actively resisted projects that threatened resources in areas like Atimonan and Sariaya and the sacred mountain, Mt. Banahaw.
The community's determination to protect their land has inspired others in Quezon Province to join the fight against unsustainable quarrying practices. However, despite countless petitions, protests, and even dramatic standoffs, the fight rages on, exposing a stark contrast between those who seek to safeguard the environment and those focused on short-term gains.
Now, the Alitao River has become the focal point of the battle, as residents continue to resist attempts to extract sand and gravel from its banks. The serenity of the river has been disrupted by the rumbling of trucks and the jarring sounds of excavation. The once-pristine waters, teeming with life, have become clouded with silt, and the once-abundant fish stocks, a source of food and income for local families, have dwindled.
Environmental degradation has not gone unnoticed by the residents who depend on the river for their livelihoods and well-being. Fishermen like Mang Tomas, who has cast his net in the Alitao for over 40 years, have witnessed the river's decline with growing despair. "The fish are disappearing," he laments, "and with them, our way of life."
Even as Typhoon Kristine that made it landfall to Quezon Province on October 25, a powerful storm with winds reaching over 150 kilometers per hour, recently bore down on the Philippines, residents of Barangay Lalo bravely confronted a proposed quarrying project along the Alitao River. Even with a Signal No. 1 warning urging evacuations, the community refused to back down. Their deep love for the Alitao River fueled a powerful demonstration.
They held signs that read "Save the Alitao!" and "Our River, Our Life!" Tragically, the typhoon wreaked havoc, causing flooding in areas that had never experienced it before and tragically claiming the lives of several residents. But amidst the devastation, the community's resolve to protect the Alitao River only grew stronger.
"This river is our lifeblood," declared a representative of Kasama ng Kalikasan during a packed public consultation organized by the non-profit environmental organization. "It sustains us in countless ways, providing water for our homes and farms, irrigating our crops, and offering a haven for diverse species. We cannot stand idly by while it is threatened."
Indeed, the Alitao River is essential to the region's livelihood and cultural heritage. Local farmer Prudencio Obispo underscored its crucial role in irrigating agricultural lands, supporting four irrigation systems that cost Php 40 million to construct. These systems, funded by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), nourish the production of rice, vegetables, and fruits that sustain the community and beyond. "Without the Alitao," Obispo explains, "our farms would wither, and our families would go hungry."
Local historian John Valdiavilla emphasized the river's historical significance, explaining how it influenced the Spanish decision to establish Tayabas City in its current location and how it provided sustenance and shelter to historical figures like Hermano Puli. "The Alitao River is intrinsically linked to the identity and livelihood of our people," Valdiavilla asserted. "To allow quarrying to destroy it is to erase a part of our history."
Kae Pabilonia Durante, a concerned resident and mother of three, voiced her worries about the future: "The Alitao River is a legacy that must be preserved for future generations. This quarrying project threatens to destroy its character, importance, and beauty. The proponents have bypassed proper legal procedures and conducted inadequate consultations with affected residents. Our future generations deserve to inherit a healthy and thriving environment, not a polluted and depleted one."
"We've been fighting for years to protect the environment and empower communities to stand up for their rights," stated a representative from Kasama ng Kalikasan. "It's a constant battle against those who prioritize profit over the well-being of the planet and its people. But we will not be silenced. We will continue to speak truth to power and demand accountability."
The community's concerns are echoed by environmental organizations across Quezon Province, who are battling a rising tide of environmental exploitation. The Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest and Environmental Protection Council (PMFEPC) is actively addressing escalating threats to the province's natural resources, including poaching, illegal logging, quarrying, and destructive fishing practices.
In February, a PMFEPC representative reported that the situation was dire, with a blatant disregard for environmental laws. The alarming increase in poaching in the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape, driven by a growing illegal wildlife trade, and the destructive fishing practices in the Polillo Group of Islands, where dynamite fishing and cyanide fishing are rampant, were just two examples of the urgent challenges they faced. "We are witnessing the depletion of our forests and the destruction of our marine ecosystems," the representative lamented. "If we don't act now, there will be nothing left for future generations."
Kasama ng Kalikasan, an environmental legal defense center, has repeatedly raised concerns about illegal quarrying activities, including the resurgence of illegal sand quarrying along the Maling or Maulawin River in Atimonan. These activities highlight the ongoing struggle to regulate quarrying and ensure it is conducted sustainably and legally. "The laws are clear," stated a lawyer from Kasama Kalikasan, "but enforcement is weak, and the penalties are often too lenient to deter illegal operators. We need stronger laws, stricter enforcement, and harsher penalties to truly protect our environment."
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has also issued warnings about the "catastrophic" effects of quarrying operations in unstable upland areas, emphasizing the risks of siltation and landslides, which can lead to devastating consequences for communities downstream. DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leonel stressed the need to avoid these unstable areas.
"Once there are quarry operations on these areas, then it would be catastrophic," Leonel explained. The DENR is currently assessing alternative areas for legal quarry and mining operators and has called for a halt to all illegal operations. "We need to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection," Leonel emphasized. "Quarrying can be done responsibly, but it requires strict adherence to regulations and a commitment to sustainable practices."
While Governor Angelina "Doktora Helen" Tan and other local government officials have taken some action to address the issue, such as ordering an immediate halt to all quarrying operations in Sariaya following public outcry and reports from Kasama ng Kalikasan about potential environmental threats.
However, critics argue that these actions are not enough and that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the root causes of illegal quarrying, such as poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and corruption.
Despite these efforts, illegal quarrying continues to plague the province. Alarming news is the continued threat of quarrying in Mt. Banahaw, at the foot of the mountain and in the nearby areas. Quarrying and other industrial activities can cause damage to mountain ecosystems, loss of animal habitat, and serious impacts on local communities.
In the early and late 2000s, there was mining within Mt. Banahaw. However, it did not succeed because of the collective cooperation of the Tayabasin, together with the Chiefs of the Town, DENR, PAMB-MBSCPL, PASu, Tanggol Kalikasan, Tayabas Mountaineers, Lutinang Alyansa para Bundok Banahaw, volunteer organizations, and other groups.
Again, Mt. Banahaw calls on us to unite to stop such practices and fight for its preservation. This is evidenced by the recent resurgence of activity on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw. Tanggol Kalikasan reported destructive rock quarrying, including dynamite blasting, within the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL).
"The use of dynamite is particularly alarming," a Kasama ng Kalikasan representative explained. "It not only causes irreversible damage to the mountain ecosystem but also poses a serious threat to the safety of nearby communities."
These incidents underscore the ongoing struggle to protect Quezon Province's environment and the vital role that environmental organizations play in holding quarrying operators accountable. "These are not just environmental concerns; they are crimes against the future of Quezon Province," declared a Kasama ng Kalikasan representative. "They are crimes against our children and grandchildren, who will inherit a degraded planet if we fail to act."
The people of Quezon Province have made their voices heard. They demand a future where their natural resources are protected, not exploited. Will their calls be answered? The future of the Alitao River, Mt. Banahaw, and the countless other natural treasures of Quezon Province hangs in the balance. The time for action is now, before it's too late.
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