The local government of Angono, Rizal cited the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for performing its mandate days after operatives swooped down a land development site for illegal mineral extraction, transport and sale.

In a statement, Mayor Gerardo "Gerry" Calderon particularly hinted at the earthmoving activities at the Village East II Residential Subdivision Project, which was ordered closed by the local government in 2014.

Records showed that the land development is covered by a development permit issued in 1994 by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board which has since been integrated by virtue of the law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

While the project is covered by an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), the DENR said that the Village East II Residential Subdivision Project neither has a permit to quarry or extract minerals for commercial purposes.

Records from the provincial government showed that the developer was able to secure a Special Haul Out Permit from the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB).

In September last year, DENR issued a cease and desist order against the project developer. Two months later, the same agency lifted its closure order citing compliance.

“Posibleng hindi pagsunod ng subdivision developer sa mga kondisyon na nakapaloob sa ECC, pero ibig sabihin kapag nagcomply sa mga conditions ay ili-lift ulit ang kanilang cease and desist order,” Calderon said when sought for comment.

The DENR, through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MBG), seized assets, which included heavy machinery, trucks, mobile crushers, and large volumes of stockpiled and processed aggregates. The total value of the seized items is estimated at P133.5 million.

Calderon likewise reminded other property developers to comply with the preconditions stipulated in the permits issued by both the national and local government.

“Ang ECC ay ini-issue ng DENR sa lahat ng earthmoving activities at development activities, kaya ang DENR ang may kapangyarihan rendahan, parusahan ang sinumang lumabag,” the local chief executive added.

Meanwhile, municipal administrator Alan Maniaol clarified that the local government has never been pro-quarry, even as he cited previous instances when the municipality took the lead in organizing peaceful protest rallies against the continued mining activities of Helix Aggregates (formerly La Farge) in Barangay San Roque.

“The LGU remains firm, ayaw namin sa quarry. Ang tanong, pwede ba i- supercede ng LGU ang national government?” Calderon added.