Police authorities raided an illegal quarrying site at the Norzagaray-Doña Remedios Trinidad boundary in Bulacan and arrested seven persons using explosives to extract limestone for construction following complaints from residents of Norzagaray and Doña Remedios Trinidad about the destruction of the mountains due to illegal quarrying.

BULACAN'S NATURAL RESOURCES -- A mountain in Bulacan that was reportedly crushed and destroyed by dynamite blasting. (Freddie Velez/File photo) 

Despite previous bans, illegal quarrying activities continue in the mountain area, raising concerns about environmental damage and possible flooding in low-lying areas.

"Akala namin ay wala na yan. Matagal na kasing pinatigil yang paggamit ng pampasabog sa pagmimina ng mga likas na yaman ng lalawigan (We thought this practice had already stopped. The use of explosives for mining was banned a long time ago),” residents said.

SACRED MOUNTAIN -- Monte Cristo has a Japanese cave and a sacred tabernacle surrounded by glittering stalactites and stalagmite in Sitio Suha, Barangay San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan. (Freddie Velez/File photo)

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) responded to the complaints from villagers and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and raided an illegal quarrying site at the Norzagaray-Doña Remedios Trinidad boundary.

The arrested suspects failed to show permits.

In 2015, former Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado warned against the use of explosives after the Dumagat tribe, an Indigenous group in eastern Bulacan and the Sierra Madre, complained about the disturbance.

Alvarado urged quarrying operations to stop using explosives and to adopt safer methods.

"No blasting should be done because, according to the Dumagats, the mountains are sacred. It could also damage Angat Dam, which they have been trying to protect," he said.

Residents recalled that explosions often happened around 4 p.m., shaking their homes.

They also suffer from breathing problems, dust, soil erosion, and fear that the mountains might collapse.

The destruction caused by illegal quarrying has raised serious concerns. Residents say their lives are constantly disrupted by strong blasts.

"Illegal quarrying has done enough damage. Trees can be replanted, but flattened mountains cannot be restored," a resident said.

They urged Bulakenyos to protect their mountains before it’s too late.

"Let’s save our mountains for future generations," they appealed.