The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 76 has issued an ex-parte Temporary Environmental Protection Order (Tepo) effective for 72 hours against Jomara Konstruckt Corporation (JKC) and Jomara Agri Foods and Supply Corporation (JAFSC), ordering them to cease operations in Barangay Guindarohan, Minglanilla.
Presiding Judge Dennis Larrobis issued the order on May 4, 2026, to halt quarrying, excavation, land clearing, tree cutting, and the operation of motor pool facilities and heavy equipment.
The complaint was filed by residents of Guindarohan through their lawyer, Atty. Ben Cabrido, citing landslide dangers. According to findings from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), soil cracks and unstable slopes were detected in the area.
Continued excavation has worsened the soil instability, threatening the lives of residents, especially in Sitio Napo. At least 23 families remain living within the high-risk zone.
The court also cited an MGB advisory from 2021, issued before Typhoon Odette, which recommended preemptive evacuation due to landslide and flood threats in the area.
Residents, particularly those from Sitio Napo, welcomed the court's decision, considering it a major victory for their safety, including children and the elderly who would be at risk if a landslide occurred.
The 72-hour Tepo takes effect immediately upon receipt by Jomara companies.
