Days after operatives swooped down on a land development site for alleged illegal mineral extraction, transport, and sale, the local government of Angono, Rizal, credited the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In a statement, Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” Calderon referred to 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 former Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, which has since been integrated into the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

While the project is covered by an Environmental Compliance Certificate, the DENR said the Village East II Residential Subdivision Project does not have a permit to quarry or extract minerals for commercial purposes.

Records from the provincial government showed that the developer secured a Special Haul-Out Permit from the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board.

In September last year, the DENR issued a cease-and-desist order against the project developer. Two months later, the agency lifted the closure order after the developer complied with the required conditions.

“It is possible that the subdivision developer failed to comply with the conditions stated in the Environmental Compliance Certificate, but once those conditions are met, the cease-and-desist order is lifted,” Calderon said.

The DENR, through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, seized heavy equipment, trucks, mobile crushers, and stockpiled aggregates valued at about P133.5 million.

Calderon reminded property developers to comply with permit conditions issued by national and local governments.

Municipal Administrator Alan Maniaol said the local government remains opposed to quarrying, citing previous protests against mining activities in Barangay San Roque.