5 Infanta crushers lose permits

INFANTA, Quezon — Five aggregate operators in this town have lost their authority to operate after environmental regulators found that their crushing facilities lacked the required Mineral Processing Permit (MPP).

The Infanta municipal government identified the affected operators as Reina Readymix Construction OPC, Ultrarocks Corp., Frepa Aggregates Trading, MCDC Hauling Services/Gravel and Sand, and Sta. Clara International Corp.

The Business Permits and Licensing Section canceled their business permits under Memorandum No. 2026-393 issued by Mayor Lord Arnel “L.A.” Ruanto on 29 September.

The action followed a cease-and-desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources after its Composite Monitoring Team conducted a field investigation on 9 and 10 September.

The inspection covered four crushing plants and one mobile crusher. According to the municipal government, the operators were found to be operating without the MPP required under the implementing rules of Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

The local government stressed that an Environmental Compliance Certificate and an Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit do not substitute for the separate MPP required for mineral processing operations.

Infanta officials said the enforcement action was carried out in coordination with the DENR and the provincial government as part of efforts to regulate quarrying activities and ensure the responsible use of the town’s natural resources.

The municipal government announced the cancellation of the business permits on 1 October.