Senate probe pushed on P’sinan black sand mining

By Eva Visperas 

ROSALES, Pangasinan – Stakeholders in agriculture are seeking a Senate inquiry on the alleged failure of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to stop illegal black sand mining in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

 
Members of the SamahangIndustriyangAgrikultura (SINAG), an umbrella group of agriculture stakeholders, said they would seek the help of Sen. Loren Legarda on the matter. 

SINAG president RosendoSo said the illegal activity started in 2011 and the pieces of equipment used to quarry and haul magnetite are still in Barangay Malimpuec in Lingayen.  

“The stockpile of black sand is also there. How come the DENR has not yet confiscated these? We want to know if the DENR has any liability,” So said. 

He said the agency should demolish the wall surrounding the proposed 18-hole golf course area, where the illegal activity is reportedly taking place. 

He said the DENR should check the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) it issued for a golf course project in 2013. 

 “That wall is not covered by the ECC for the golf course project. It also does not have any mayor’s permit.  

But the DENR has yet to demolish it,” So said.