Cebu Province has revived a long-standing environmental rule, now requiring all quarry, mining, and development permit holders to actively plant trees, donate seedlings, and build drainage canals within their operation sites.
The directive, issued by Governor Pamela Baricuatro on November 17, 2025, emphasizes stricter compliance for both current and future permittees.
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Environmental Duties Now Enforced
The order enforces Section 3(c)(2) of Provincial Ordinance 2016-21, which sets clear obligations for operators: one tree seedling for every cubic meter of extracted material, donation of endemic or fruit-bearing seedlings to Capitol nurseries, and the creation of drainage canals.
These steps must be completed before any permit renewals are granted.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces acknowledged that while the ordinance has existed for several years, it had not been consistently applied.
“That ordinance has actually been there, but it seems it was forgotten,” he said, noting that the provincial government is now reemphasizing the importance of tree planting as part of post-environmental responsibilities.
Monitoring and Compliance
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) will closely track compliance, ensuring operators fulfill their obligations. “This was not really implemented well before. By order of the governor, it must now be strictly enforced,” Empaces added.
The governor’s memo takes effect immediately, reinforcing the province’s commitment to sustainable development while holding businesses accountable for their environmental impact.
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