Supreme Court Halts Illegal Quarrying in Bulacan Forest Reserve with Writ of Kalikasan
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has taken decisive action to protect a critical watershed area by issuing a writ of kalikasan against illegal quarrying activities within the Angat River-Bustos Dam Forest Reserve in Banaban, Angat, Bulacan. This landmark ruling, delivered during an en banc session, targets Halrey Construction Inc. and other unnamed individuals, granting a temporary environmental protection order as requested by petitioner Narciso A. De Leon.
Immediate Cessation of Destructive Activities Ordered
In a strongly worded statement, the tribunal mandated that all respondents must immediately cease and desist from any quarrying, excavation, earth extraction, or similar operations within the protected watershed zone. The court explicitly prohibited any further actions that could exacerbate environmental degradation, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent additional harm to this ecologically sensitive region.
Technical Findings Reveal Severe Environmental Impact
The Supreme Court's decision was grounded in the precautionary principle, supported by compelling technical evidence. Reports presented to the court detailed how quarrying activities have dramatically increased surface runoff, erosion, and sedimentation within the watershed. These destructive practices have ravaged cultivated crops, natural vegetation, and fruit-bearing trees that serve as vital wildlife habitats, fundamentally altering the area's ecological balance.
Broader Implications for Watershed Stability and Community Safety
The court underscored that even localized alterations to the natural landscape of this protected forest reserve threaten the overall stability of the Angat River-Bustos Dam watershed. This instability poses serious, far-reaching risks to the life, health, and property of inhabitants across multiple provinces that depend on this watershed for water supply and flood protection. The Angat River-Bustos Dam Forest Reserve holds protected status under Proclamation No. 573, designating it as crucial forest land requiring stringent conservation measures.
This judicial intervention represents a significant victory for environmental advocates and local communities who have long raised concerns about unsustainable extraction activities in the region. The writ of kalikasan serves as a powerful legal tool to enforce environmental laws and safeguard natural resources for future generations, setting an important precedent for similar cases nationwide.
