PETITION FOR THE IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION, FULL DISCLOSURE, INVESTIGATION, AND STRICT REGULATION OF QUARRYING ACTIVITIES IN INFANTA AND GENERAL NAKAR, QUEZON
PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE AGOS RIVER AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS
A CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

TO:

The Provincial Governor of Quezon
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon
The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Quezon Province
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region IV-A CALABARZON
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
The Municipal Governments of Infanta and General Nakar, Quezon
The concerned Barangay Governments; The Department of the Interior and Local Government ; Office of the President of the Philippines
And all other concerned government agencies and authorities

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS OF INFANTA AND GENERAL NAKAR, QUEZON, RESPECTFULLY PETITION FOR THE IMMEDIATE REVIEW, TEMPORARY SUSPENSION WHERE WARRANTED, FULL DISCLOSURE, INVESTIGATION, AND STRICT REGULATION OF QUARRYING ACTIVITIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE OPERATING WITHIN OR AFFECTING THE AGOS RIVER AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS.

I. OUR CONCERN
We recognize that the State has the authority to regulate and allow the responsible utilization of mineral and quarry resources under existing laws.

However, the exercise of such authority must always be accompanied by transparency, accountability, environmental safeguards, public safety, and meaningful consideration of the communities directly affected by these activities.

Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, provides the legal framework for the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of mineral resources. It also recognizes the State's responsibility to safeguard the environment and protect the rights of affected communities.

The same law provides for quarry permits, sand and gravel permits, and other forms of authority for the extraction of mineral and quarry resources. It also requires compliance with applicable mining, safety, and environmental regulations.

Therefore, our petition is not a call against lawful development.

It is a call for lawful, transparent, responsible, and properly regulated development.

II. THE AGOS RIVER IS A COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSET
The Agos River is not merely a source of sand, gravel, or other extractable materials.

It is part of the natural environment upon which communities depend.

Its riverbanks, waterways, flood-control structures, vegetation, agricultural areas, roads, bridges, homes, businesses, and other public and private infrastructure are all connected to the health and stability of the river system.

We therefore respectfully ask the authorities to determine whether continued quarrying activities are being conducted in a manner that will preserve the natural integrity and long-term stability of the Agos River.

We are particularly concerned about possible impacts on existing flood-control and river-protection structures, including riprap, gabions, riverbank protection, and other related infrastructure.

If the riverbed or riverbanks are altered without sufficient assessment and regulation, there may be consequences that are not immediately visible today but could become serious in the future.

A simple concern today may become a much larger problem tomorrow.

III. THE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE OF ORDINARY RESIDENTS
For many residents, the issue is not simply about technical permits or government documents.

It is about what they experience every day. Residents have expressed concerns regarding:

-dust generated by quarrying and hauling activities;
-noise from heavy equipment and trucks;
-increased movement of large and heavy vehicles;
-traffic congestion and road safety concerns;
-apprehension when motorists and pedestrians encounter quarry trucks;
-possible impacts on homes, businesses, farms, and nearby communities;
-changes in the river and surrounding environment; and
-uncertainty regarding the long-term consequences of continued extraction.
As some ordinary residents have expressed:

“Kami'y lubos na napupurwisyo sa dulot ng alikabok, ingay ng nagdadamihang truck, at nangangamba tuwing kakasalubong ang mga ito.”

These may appear to be simple complaints.

But the government has the responsibility to determine whether these complaints reflect broader environmental, safety, health, infrastructure, and regulatory concerns.

IV. OUR CALL FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY OF PERMITS
We respectfully request the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of Quezon Province, the concerned provincial authorities, MGB Region IV-A, and other appropriate government offices to make publicly accessible, subject to applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, the records concerning quarrying and extraction activities within Infanta and General Nakar, Quezon, particularly those affecting the Agos River.

Specifically, we respectfully request disclosure of:

The complete list of active and expired quarry permits, commercial sand and gravel permits, industrial sand and gravel permits, government gratuitous permits, private gratuitous permits, and other applicable extraction authorities covering areas within Infanta and General Nakar;
-The name of each permit holder, company, corporation, or authorized entity;
-The exact location and technical description of each permitted area, including maps or coordinates where legally disclosable;
-The type and classification of each permit;
-The date of issuance, expiration, renewal, suspension, cancellation, or amendment, if applicable;
-The approved area covered by each permit;
-The approved volume, extraction limits, work program, or other applicable operating conditions;
-Copies or summaries of relevant inspection reports, monitoring reports, compliance reports, notices of violation, orders, and enforcement actions, subject to lawful disclosure;
-Information regarding required environmental clearances, permits, ECCs, environmental management commitments, and rehabilitation requirements, where applicable;
-Records showing whether required consultations, notices, hearings, endorsements, clearances, or other procedural requirements were undertaken;
-The identity of the government office or authority responsible for evaluating and approving each application;
-Records of fees, taxes, or other government collections associated with the relevant permits, to the extent these records are legally accessible; and
-The applicable rehabilitation, river-management, environmental protection, and monitoring measures imposed upon permit holders.
This request is made not to prejudge any permit holder but to establish the facts and ensure that the public can understand who has been authorized to operate, where they are authorized to operate, what they are authorized to extract, for how long, and under what conditions.

RA 7942 itself provides for a national and regional filing and recording system for mineral rights and contemplates publication of information concerning mineral rights.

V. REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION OF THE PERMITTING PROCESS
We respectfully request a comprehensive review and investigation of the issuance and continued validity of quarrying and extraction permits affecting Infanta and General Nakar.

In particular, we ask the appropriate authorities to determine:

1. Whether all permits were issued in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and procedures;

2. Whether all required technical, environmental, safety, and documentary requirements were satisfied;

3. Whether the locations covered by permits are appropriate for quarrying activities;

4. Whether the extraction activities are consistent with approved limits and conditions;

5. Whether required monitoring and inspections have been regularly conducted;

6. Whether complaints from affected residents have been properly received, documented, investigated, and acted upon;

7. Whether meaningful consultation and stakeholder engagement were undertaken where required by applicable laws and regulations;

8. Whether the activities are affecting riverbanks, flood-control structures, bridges, roads, agricultural lands, private properties, or other public infrastructure; and

9. Whether any permit should be suspended, modified, renewed, cancelled, or subjected to additional conditions based on the results of the investigation.

VI. REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY ACTION
Pending the completion of a comprehensive review, we respectfully request the competent authorities to consider the temporary suspension of quarrying or extraction activities in areas where there are verified or credible indications of immediate environmental, public safety, infrastructure, or regulatory risks, consistent with applicable law and due process.

We further request that no additional permits, expansions, renewals, or modifications affecting environmentally sensitive portions of the Agos River be approved without appropriate technical evaluation and public transparency.

This request is made as a precautionary measure.

We would rather prevent an irreversible problem than wait for a disaster before acting.

VII. PROTECTION OF FLOOD-CONTROL AND RIVER-PROTECTION STRUCTURES
We specifically call for an independent technical assessment of the possible effects of quarrying activities on existing flood-control and river-protection structures along the Agos River.

This assessment should include, where appropriate:

-riverbed elevation and morphology;
-riverbank stability;
-erosion and sediment movement;
-effects on riprap and gabion structures;
-impacts on bridges and other infrastructure;
-flood-flow behavior;
-cumulative effects of multiple extraction sites;
-downstream and upstream impacts; and
-the carrying capacity and environmental sustainability of the affected river sections.
The public deserves to know whether current extraction activities are compatible with the long-term protection of communities located along and near the river.

VIII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION
We respectfully ask the authorities to ensure that affected residents are given a meaningful opportunity to participate in discussions concerning quarrying activities that may affect their homes, livelihoods, safety, environment, and future.

The concerns of ordinary residents should not be dismissed simply because they are not technical experts.

They live beside the roads.

They encounter the trucks.

They breathe the dust.

They see the changes in the river.

They live with the consequences of decisions made today.

Their voices therefore deserve to be heard.

MGB Region IV-A itself reported in February 2026 that stakeholder consultations in Quezon included concerns regarding alleged illegal quarrying and emphasized stronger regulatory oversight, transparency, information dissemination, coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

IX. THE SERVICE PLEDGE OF THE PROVINCIAL MINING REGULATORY BOARD
We respectfully invoke the stated Service Pledge of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of Quezon Province, which provides:

“We, the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Quezon Province, commit to delivering high-quality service in the regulation and utilization of the province’s mineral resources, guided by the principles of sustainable development.”

The pledge further commits the Board to perform its duties with:

integrity, transparency, and efficiency,

in strict compliance with Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, while ensuring the responsible use of resources, consistent enforcement of mining regulations, promotion of socio-economic growth, and protection of the environment for present and future generations.

We therefore respectfully ask:

If transparency is part of the PMRB's service pledge, then the people should be able to understand and verify how quarrying permits affecting their communities are issued, monitored, and enforced.

If sustainable development is the guiding principle, then economic activity must not be considered separately from environmental protection, public safety, and the long-term welfare of communities.

If the law requires responsible utilization of mineral resources, then responsibility must include accountability to the people who live where these activities take place.

X. OUR DEMANDS AND REQUESTS
Therefore, we, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens, respectfully call upon the appropriate authorities to:

1. IMMEDIATELY REVIEW
All quarrying, sand and gravel extraction, and related activities operating in Infanta and General Nakar, particularly those affecting the Agos River.

2. CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION
Into the issuance, renewal, implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of all relevant permits.

3. DISCLOSE THE PERMITS
Make publicly accessible the legally disclosable records of permits and authorizations, including their locations, holders, validity, conditions, approved extraction limits, and compliance status.

4. VERIFY PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Determine whether all legally required notices, consultations, endorsements, clearances, and other procedures were properly undertaken.

5. INSPECT THE RIVER
Conduct an independent technical and environmental assessment of the affected portions of the Agos River.

6. PROTECT FLOOD-CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURE
Determine whether quarrying activities are affecting or potentially compromising gabions, riprap, riverbank protection, bridges, flood-control structures, and other infrastructure.

7. SUSPEND OPERATIONS WHERE WARRANTED
Temporarily suspend activities that are found, after appropriate assessment and due process, to be operating without valid authority or in violation of applicable laws, permit conditions, environmental requirements, or safety regulations.

8. ENFORCE STRICTER MONITORING
Require regular inspection, monitoring, reporting, and enforcement of environmental, safety, transportation, and extraction requirements.

9. ESTABLISH A PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY MECHANISM
Provide the affected communities with accessible information concerning active permits, monitoring activities, violations, enforcement actions, and the status of complaints.

10. HOLD A PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Conduct a transparent public dialogue involving affected residents, barangays, municipal governments, the provincial government, PMRB, MGB, DENR, technical experts, and other relevant stakeholders.

XI. OUR MESSAGE TO THE AUTHORITIES
We are not against livelihood.

We are not against development.

We are not against the responsible utilization of natural resources.

We are asking for responsible governance.

We are asking that permits be transparent.

We are asking that regulations be enforced.

We are asking that environmental safeguards be respected.

We are asking that the concerns of ordinary residents be heard.

We are asking that the Agos River be protected.

And most importantly, we are asking that decisions made today do not place the lives, safety, livelihood, and future of our communities at risk tomorrow.

A permit should never be viewed merely as a piece of paper.

Behind every permit is a community.

Behind every extraction site is an environment.

Behind every truck on our roads are families who must share those roads.

And behind every decision made today is a future generation that will inherit the consequences.

XII. OUR CALL FOR UNITY
We therefore call upon the residents of Infanta and General Nakar, Quezon, particularly communities directly affected by quarrying and hauling activities, to peacefully and lawfully unite in demanding:

TRANSPARENCY.
ACCOUNTABILITY.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
PUBLIC SAFETY.
MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION.
STRICT REGULATION.
AND RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT.

Let this petition serve not as an attack against any individual, company, or government office, but as a peaceful and lawful call for facts, transparency, accountability, and protection of the public interest.

We respectfully ask our government authorities to listen before the problem becomes irreversible.

Ang simpleng reklamo ngayon ay maaaring maging malaking suliranin bukas.

Huwag nating hintayin na ang pinsala ay mangyari bago tayo kumilos.

WE CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT.
WE CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY.
WE CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.
WE CALL FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE AGOS RIVER.
WE CALL FOR THE SAFETY AND FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF INFANTA AND GENERAL NAKAR, QUEZON.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:

Concerned Residents and Citizens of
INFANTA AND GENERAL NAKAR, QUEZON and Concerned Filipinos 

Note: Signatories may be residents, affected stakeholders, community members, and other concerned citizens who voluntarily support the petition.