The rapid urbanization that generates growth of construction activity to meet the modern day development and increasing number of housing and infrastructure projects has immensely boosted the demand for rock aggregates or colloquially known as sand and gravel aggregates in the market.

Bicol Region particularly in the Provinces of Albay and Sorsogon are known for their large deposits of these aggregates since the main source of materials are from volcanoes and their river banks.

To determine the width and extent of these sites, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. V (MGB RO-V) has conducted a site inventory of quarry sites in the Provinces of Albay and Sorsogon.

In the Sorsogon Province, the sand and gravel sites are located at Barangays Añog, Rangas, Binanuahan and Cogon in Juban; Mapaso, Monbon and Patag in Irosin; and Barayong Bacon in Sorsogon City. While the quarry sites for pumice are situated at Barangays Trece Martirez, Casiguran, and Sigad in Bulan; and quarry sites for earth fill materials are present in Barangay Gadgaron in Matnog, and Carriedo in Gubat.

During the conducted inventory in Sorsogon, Engr. Josephine Avila and Engr. Rodolfo Banua of the MGB RO-V requested the assistance of the Environment and Natural Resources Office- LGU Sorsogon (ENRO-LGU Sorsogon). In response to the request of the ENRO-LGU Sorsogon sent Mr. Olven Guemo and Mr. Arnel Atutubo to assist the MGB RO-V technical personnel to conduct the site inventory.                                     

Using Survey Plan/Sketch Map of the concerned quarry site and GPS Map the Team has drawn the findings/observations namely:

1. Records from ENRO-LGU Sorsogon showed that the inventoried areas are existing quarry/sand and gravel permits;
2. Añog, Ragas and Cogon river systems have a width varying from 20 to 40 meters while Binanuahan River has a wider width ranging from 40 to 600 meters;
3. All river systems are potential source of sand and gravel materials; and 
4. These sand, gravel, pumice and earth fill materials are being extracted manually.

In the Albay Province, the sand and gravel sites are located at Barangays Basag, Tambo, Nasisi, Pinit, Batang in Ligao, Albay; Barangays Tandarora and Maninila, in Guinobatan, Albay; Barangay Quirangay in Camalig, Albay; Barangays Salvacion, Malabog and Budiao in Daraga, Albay; Barangay Nagas in Tiwi, Albay; Barangay San Antonio in Tabaco, Albay; Barangay San Jose and Binitayan in Malilipot, Albay and Barangay Padang in Legazpi City.

During the conduct of the inventory in the Province of Albay, Engr. Avila and Engr. Banua the MGB RO-V technical personnel also requested the assistance of the Environment and Natural Resources Office- LGU Albay (ENRO-LGU Albay). In response to the request, the ENRO-LGU Albay sent Mr. Juan Sangreo, Jr. to represent their office and assist the MGB RO-V technical personnel.                       

Using Survey Plan/Sketch Map of the concerned quarry site and GPS Map the Team has come up with the following findings/observations:

1. Records from ENRO-LGU Albay showed that 14 sites of the area are covered by quarry/sand and gravel permits and the rest are subject for renewal of their permits.
2. The location of the concerned quarry/sand and gravel sites are verified as existing and within the various river systems in Ligao, Guinobatan, Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Malilipot, Albay. While other source of the materials are the Mayon Volcano major gulleys located in Guinobatan, Sto. Domingo, Legazpi City and Tiwi, Albay;
3. These river systems have a width varying from 50 to 100 meters with potential source of sand and gravel materials; and materials from these rivers are manually extracted.
4. Extraction of sand and gravel materials within the major gulleys of Mayon Volcano and in Mt. Malinao was using backhoes, as noted; and
5. The report revealed that permittees using heavy equipment were issued Industrial Sand and Gravel Permits since the volume of resources extracted could not be made through manual labor.

Both provinces have the same recommendation from the team, as follows:

1. These quarry/sand and gravel permittees should always be guided by the rules and regulations of quarry operations in conducting quarry activities in their respective permit areas;
2. The ENRO-LGU of Albay and Sorsogon and the Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office No. V should always conduct Monitoring of quarry sites to ascertain that no permittee shall violate any rules and regulations and the terms and conditions provided for in their Environmental Compliance Certificate.

Below is the profile of quarry and sand gravel operators in the Province of Sorsogon:

Below is the profile of quarry and sand gravel operators in the Province of Albay: