Norzagaray, Bulacan — The practice by giant cement factories of using explosives in extracting lime stones, the primary ingredient in making cement products, in the mountains of eastern Bulacan poses another threat that might cause the break of Angat Dam.
“Years of massive quarrying of mineral deposits in the area had taken its toll. The removal of the mountains in the area is not only ugly but also appears to be a disaster waiting to happen since the mining area is so close to the Angat dam,” said Bro. Martin Francisco, chairman of the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society Inc. (SSMSI).
He added that since Angat Dam lies along the West Valley fault line, the mining of limestone deposits in the area could weaken the structure of the dam and its foundation because giant cement plants are still using explosives in extracting marbles and limestone.
In a report to Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, the environment watchdog said residents here, as well as the cultural minority group called the Dumagats have complained about the rumblings in the mountains caused by dynamite blasts.
MANILA BULLETIN
