Cemex assessing impact of suspended mining and quarrying activities on cement output

Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. (CHP) is now assessing how the cease and desist order by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on mining and quarrying activities would impact on the cement maker’s output and raw material supply.

The operations of a supplier in Naga, Cebu have been suspended, on orders of the local government unit implementing Cimatu’s order as an offshoot of a killer landslide that hit the area.

In a regulatory filing submitted by Cemex compliance officer Jannette Sevilla, the company said it was informed by APO Land & Quarry Corp. (ALQC) that an executive order was issued halting all companies, entities, and individuals to cease and desist from mining operations and activities.

The order covers small-scale quarries, and sand and gravel extractions.

ALQC is one of the principal suppliers of APO Cement Corp., a subsidiary of Cemex Holdings which has quarrying activities in Naga, Cebu.

Landslide struck Barangay Naalad and Sitio Sindulan in Barangay Tinaan, Naga City in Cebu on Thursday, September 20.

The death toll has so far reached 43, with several others still missing.

“CHP is now conducting an assessment on the effect of the cease and desist order on the raw materials sourced from Naga City and, consequently, on the production output of APO Cement,” the company said.

“CHP is also considering, at this time, alternative measures to address the situation,” it said.

The company is positive that the cease and desist order would one day be lifted, but did not give a time frame.

“The executive order provides, among others, that the cease and desist order shall be lifted once reversed by the Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB),” it said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News