INVESTIGATION REPORT

NATURE OF COMPLAINT: Alleged illegal quarry activities at Barangay Beguin, Municipality of

Bulan Province of Sorsogon.

COMPLAINANT: Concerned Citizen

PERSON/S CONTACTED:

1. Mr. Salvador Oseo Jr, Barangay Kagawad Brgy. Beguin, Bulan Sorsogon
2. Mr. Rodolfo Guelas, Landowner and resident of Brgy. Beguin Bulan Sorsogon

INVESTIGATING TEAM:

1. Daniel P. Jazmin III, PGADH PENRO-LGU

2. Arnel Atutubo, TFK Member
3. Gerry Nunez, TFK Member

BACROUND INFORMATION:

A report was received at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office –
Provincial Government of Sorsogon alleging the presence of a possible illegal quarry activity at
Barangay Beguin, Municipality of Bulan Sorosogon as observed by some residents where a
number of dump trucks with loads of earth materials were seen going in and out of the said
barangay.

INVESTIGATION PROPER:

On March 02 2021, the undersigned and the rest of the investigating team went to the
Barangay Beguin, municipality of Bulan, Sorsogon to verify and investigate the reported
possible illegal quarry. The investigating team proceed to the Barangay Hall of Brgy. Beguin and
we were greeted by some by standers and some members of Barangay Police/Tanod and
immediately we conducted some questioning as to the alleged quarry activity in their barangay.
They attested to the fact that dump trucks were used to haul earth aggregates from their
barangay. Some member of the barangay police accompanied us inside the barangay hall and
thereafter we met Barangay Councilman Mr. Salvador Oseo, Jr. and as we conversed, Mr. Oseo
informed us of the quarrying activity being conducted at the property of Mr. Rodolfo Guelas
and offered to accompany us to the site for us to personally inspect the area..
When we arrived at the area, we were greeted by Mr. Guelas, the owner of the property
subject of the alleged quarry and the team immediately conducted ocular inspection at the area
with some photo documentations of an apparent quarrying in the said area of Mr. Guelas. The
area is apparently fresh from quarry activities as seen on the scars on the mountain and
apparent traces of human activity and use of heavy equipment/s in the said area. We also
noticed a portion of a mountain that was excavated heavily by a backhoe with trees on top of it.
Marks from the backhoe were very evident on the excavated part of the mountain.

We also noticed stockpile of mountain soils apparently ready to be loaded for transport.

During our conversation with the land owner, Mr. Guelas have admitted to us that the said area
is his property and the mountain was excavated to flatten it for future utilization. He also added
that he had an agreement with Mr. Jason Harold Lee to excavate the mountain for free for his
intention is merely to flatten it and to reciprocate the excavation to be done, Mr. Lee is allowed
to dispose of the earth materials for free in exchange of the flattening of some portion of the
mountain.

After we gather enough information regarding our concern, we informed the landowner that
the extraction, excavation of earth materials done in his property should have been done after
a permit has been issued by the Provincial Government of Sorsogon. That the said quarry
activity in his property was without a valid permit, hence, illegal. We also informed the
Barangay that any form of quarrying being conducted whether in public or private property
must be done after a valid permit has been issued by the Provincial Governor of Sorsogon.

INITIAL FINDINGS/OBSERVATIONS:

a. Presence of quarry activity in Barangay Beguin, Bulan Sorsogon as admitted by the

Barangay Official and the Landowner himself.
b. That the quarry activity in the said Barangay is without a valid permit, hence
ILLEGAL.
c. Mountain Quarry without a valid permit from concerned government offices is
illegal and should not be tolerated by the Barangay Officials.
d. Mr. Jason Harold Lee should stop the conduct of any illegal quarry activity in
Barangay Beguin, Bulan Sorsogon.
REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Barangay Officials of Barangay Beguin, Bulan Sorsogon should not tolerate the
presence of illegal quarry in their Barangay.

2. Barangay Officials of Barangay Beguin, Bulan Sorsogon should be informed of their

legal obligation to enforce environmental laws especially the quarry ordinance in the
province.

3. Mr. Jason Harlod Lee should be held accountable of any violation as may be
determined under applicable laws particularly the quarry ordinance of the province.

4. Technical Conference shall be conducted at the PENRO-LGU office for the final
disposition of the complaint and proper imposition of legal penalties/sanctions
under existing laws.

Note: Attached herewith are photo documentations gathered during the investigation for your
ready reference.

Investigating Team:

ARNEL ATUTUBO GERRY NUNEZ

TFK Member TFK Member

DANIEL P. JAZMIN III

PGADH

Noted by:

MARIBETH L. FRUTO, C.E.

PGDH