Proposed ordinance worries local officials

CALAPAN CITY: Environmentalists and some local officials expressed concern about the proposed ordinance to regulate the extraction of armor rocks and boulders in the province, fearing that this may cause more ecological damage to the island than its purported purpose of saving lives and properties.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) deliberated with its committees on environment, laws and agriculture on Tuesday, November 8, the proposed ordinance "An Ordinance Regulating the Extraction, Removal, and Disposition of Boulder-Sized Volcanic Rock Float Deposits (Armour Rocks) within the Territorial Jurisdiction of the Province of Oriental Mindoro, and for other purposes."