Characterizing the Environmental Effects of the Quarrying Industry: The Case of Strategic Quarry Sites in the Ilocos Region

Abstract

This study tried to identify the environmental effects of quarrying in the identified quarry sites of Region 1 chosen at random, specifically at a geologic perspective. It further tried to discover the socio-economic benefits they provided to the residents of adjacent and nearby barangays within the provinces of locos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan; and solicited their perceptions on the pressing effect(s) of the industry. Four types of quarrying were found in Ilocos Sur, namely: clay extraction at Bulala, Vigan City; gravel quarrying at Banaoang, Bantay, and at Bio Tagudin; sand quarrying at Namruangan, Cabugao and at Libtong, Tagudin; and mountain quarrying at Nalvo, Sta. Maria. The quarry sites mentioned were described to be from excessive to highly excessive. In Ilocos Norte, the researchers noted three types of quarrying: clay extraction at Sta. Monica, San Nicolas; sand quarrying at Paoay; and gravel extractions at Bengcag, Barangays IandXV. Laoag City, as well as in Bacarra. Meanwhile, quarrying is banned at Bengcag, Laoag City. A shift in the original course ofthe San Cristobal, Sarrat River has been confirmed by the residents. They attributed the rerouted course of the river to the continuous unplanned gravel extraction therein. In La Union, three quarry types were noted; gravel extraction at Sudipen and Rosario, sand extraction at Rimos 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Luna, La Union; and rounded peebles. The quarry operations were assessed to be excessive. In Pangasinan, the researchers noted sand and gravel extractions at Bugallon; and gravel extractions at Labrador, Anonang, San Fabian, and San Jacinto The observations were: a) for sand quarrying: weakened soil cohesion leading to sand
dune collapse and air pollution during windy and stormy days; b) for gravel quarrying: widened mouth of the river leading to a widened downstream flow and diverted water course, c)for earth extraction: uneven ground elevation permitting water to be impounded during the rainy season, and worst, the cause of flooding for neighboring barangays; and d) for mountain quarrying: triggered land slide and thinning water reserve. The mitigations were concentrated mostly on more extensive regulatory schemes: for the DENR to regulate the quarrying operations, more strict monitoring of hauling permittees, and rectification of damaged sites by environmentalinterventions.