Pagbilao quarry concerns deepen as Lakbay Panaghoy raises alarm

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Rev. Fr. Warren Puno presents the Lakbay Panaghoy environmental appeal during a dialogue with Vice Mayor ...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino

Rev. Fr. Warren Puno presents the Lakbay Panaghoy environmental appeal during a dialogue with Vice Mayor Walter “Wally” Dapla and Pagbilao officials on October 5. (Wally Dapla)

PAGBILAO, Quezon — Growing concern over quarrying, altered mountain slopes and possible risks to nearby communities has intensified Pagbilao’s environmental debate, with residents pressing local officials for stronger safeguards against further degradation. Those concerns converged on October 5 when Lakbay Panaghoy sa Inang Kalikasan brought an environmental appeal and community grievances before the Sangguniang Bayan.

The six-day pilgrimage, which began in Atimonan and is proceeding toward Metro Manila, turned its Pagbilao stop into a discussion of quarry operations, renewable-energy development and the municipality’s capacity to respond when environmental complaints arise. Much of the dialogue centered on Ibabang Palsabangon, where residents described changes they associate with quarry activity and questioned whether existing safeguards are sufficient to protect homes, waterways and surrounding slopes.

Those concerns also placed attention on what the municipal legislature can actually do when quarry permitting largely falls outside its direct authority. Vice Mayor Walter “Wally” G. Dapla, presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan, said complaints from residents help the council determine whether resolutions, ordinances or representations before provincial and national agencies can be pursued.

“Bilang representative of our people, it is our duty, we are duty-bound to always engage into a conversation with the people in our community. And from there, doon ho namin kasi nalalaman ano ho talaga yung pressing problems, ano yung problema nila, ano ho yung mga hinaing nila, at sa paanong paraan ho kami makakatulong in a form of legislation,” Dapla said.

Reverend Father Warren Puno said the delegation deliberately sought dialogue with Pagbilao officials because environmental advocacy should not automatically place the Church and local government on opposing sides. He said cooperation is necessary when projects raise questions over compliance, environmental protection and the welfare of communities living near affected areas.

“Ginusto ko na makipag-uusap sa mga LGU talaga kasi ayokong magkaroon tayo ng impression na tayo ay magkalaban, hindi tayo magkalaban. Narito po ang simbahan, hindi para mamulis, hindi para lagi na lamang hanapan ng mali ang nasa gobyerno, kundi narito po kami para tumulong,” Puno said.

The local impact came into sharper focus when residents of Ibabang Palsabangon described dust, persistent noise, muddy conditions during rains and the continuing loss of vegetation they associate with quarry operations near their community. Their accounts also raised fears that extensive disturbance of nearby mountain areas could affect roads, waterways, homes and low-lying portions of the barangay during severe weather.

One resident said people in the area were not opposed to development but wanted stronger protection for families living beside extraction sites and greater consideration of their concerns before projects advance. She also questioned the consultation process and described how dust and quarry-related noise had affected everyday conditions in parts of the community.

Puno said visible changes in Pagbilao’s mountain areas reinforced the need to examine how projects are approved, monitored and allowed to continue after permits are issued. He argued that regulatory compliance should not end public scrutiny when development may carry consequences for human safety, livelihoods and the surrounding environment.

“Legal kung maituturing, pero pag ang pinag-usapan ay usapin ng buhay at kamatayan, ito’y usaping moral, at kailanman ang imoral kahit legal ay hindi dapat payagan. Kasi kailangang pag-aralan yung mga proyekto dito sa Pagbilao, dahil baka minsan mali na ang ginagawa, baka hindi na naaayon sa batas at hindi na tama,” Puno said.

The Lakbay Panaghoy delegation also appealed for stronger climate-mitigation measures in Pagbilao, including policies encouraging renewable-energy use among households, businesses and government facilities while maintaining restrictions against new fossil-fuel generation. Puno supported wider solar adoption and possible local incentives but cautioned that renewable-energy development should not itself result in extensive damage to land and communities.

Council members said Pagbilao has already pursued several quarry-related measures, including a resolution seeking a moratorium, requests for regular environmental monitoring and work on a proposed municipal ordinance regulating extraction activities. They also cited consultations with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as they examine why existing national policies leave the municipal legislature with only limited participation in quarry permitting.

Dapla said that limitation has pushed the council to seek clearer legal avenues and stronger safeguards that can be implemented within the municipality’s legislative authority. He said Pagbilao would continue using resolutions, proposed ordinances, consultations and representations before government agencies to respond to concerns and prevent further environmental deterioration.

“We are exerting and we are trying to exhaust all available means para matugunan yung problema, at least sa level lang natin, because batid namin na talaga po this is a growing concern. Hindi na ho natin mababalik what have already been destroyed, pero at least we still believe that we can still do something para ho ma-prevent yung further degradation nung ating kalikasan,” Dapla said.

The October 5 dialogue left Pagbilao officials and residents focused on what measures can still be pursued against further environmental damage, particularly in communities already raising complaints over quarry activity. Attention remains on the proposed local ordinance, monitoring requests and continuing discussions with agencies that exercise authority over quarry permits and environmental compliance.

Lakbay Panaghoy participants were set to continue their journey after Pagbilao, carrying the concerns raised during the meeting to provincial and national government offices. For residents of Ibabang Palsabangon, however, the immediate issue remains whether the complaints they brought before local officials will translate into stronger monitoring and concrete action in their community.