President Duterte has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to look into the quarrying operations in Guinobatan, Albay following the devastation caused by typhoon "Rolly."
Duterte made the order following his aerial inspection and visit to Guinobatan on Monday, a day after the typhoon ravaged the said area.
In a situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon "Rolly" in Malacañang, Duterte instructed DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu to look into the complaints of the residents and local government units about the quarrying activities in the area.
"Ang reklamo nila doon, Secretary Villar, yung, kay Cimatu man 'to, pero (Their complaint there, Secretary Villar, and this is for Secretary Cimatu, too), I think it’s the construction there are getting the raw materials from sa Guinobatan mismo (from Guinobatan itself)," he said.
"Every washout, water from the mountains, dadalhin talaga doon sa baba (It will really go straight down to the lands)," he added.
According to the President, he assured the people of Guinobatan to relay their complaints to Villar and Cimatu because they are the people who have more knowledge about the situation.
"Sabi ko, we will look into it, I will ask Secretary Villar and Secretary Cimatu, who would have a knowledge about these things, kung may magawa sila (if there's anything they can do)," he said.
In response, Villar assured President Duterte that he will personally look into the matter. Cimatu, meanwhile, said the DENR has already suspended quarrying operations in the area.
A day after Filipinos online wondered where the President was amid the typhoon, Duterte conducted an aerial inspection on Bicol and Calabarzon to see the effects of typhoon "Rolly."
The President likewise visited Guinobatan, Albay where he was able to talk to the people.