‘Why should I resign?’

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — “For a slight reason and accusations, why should I resign?”

This was the strong statement of lawyer Emilyn Arboleda-Depon, chief of Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO) in reaction to accusations that she neglected and was incompetent in her job.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Mateo Hachuela lobbed the accusations against Depon in a privilege speech Tuesday.

Depon said she was saddened by the approval of the amendment to the provincial quarry ordinance, specifically the exemption of local government units from securing quarry permits from CaPENRO if the gravel will be used for the rehabilitation of barangay and municipal roads.

She said the amendment is a violation of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Depon said the board members should review the mining act.

She said Hachuela may have failed to study the law and may have misled his colleagues in approving the amendment.

Depon stood firm that illegal quarry will certainly destroy the environment, and gratuitous permits are one way to regulate quarries.

“I’m doing my job as CaPENRO head to protect the environment against those who want to destroy it,” she added.

Meanwhile, the amendment on the quarry ordinance was passed and approved by the provincial board on third and final reading.

Vice Governor James Magbanua said the proposed amendment was studied and deliberated by the members of the two committees, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, and Committee on Laws and Good Governance.

Magbanua said what triggered the review is the complaint of Mayor Christopher Andaya of Sigma town.

Andaya asked for an explanation on CaPENRO’s move to stop the quarry operation at Brgy. Acbo, Sigma for lack of permits from the provincial government.

Magbanua said the board members studied the amendment before it was approved.