Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III suspended Monday all temporary mining permits following reports of rampant illegal mining operations in Rizal province that caused massive landslides during typhoon “Ondoy.”

Governor Ynares issued Executive Order ordering the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, Mines Rehabilitation Fund Committee, and Multi-Partite Monitoring Team to conduct spot survey and assessment to areas affected by typhoon Ondoy in Rizal province and address all concerns about mining and quarry operations.

“The unprecedented havoc and major devastations brought about by tropical storm Ondoy compelled me to suspend all mining operations and related activities, including quarrying and blasting through explosives for mineral extraction permitted by the provincial government,” said Governor Ynares.

The Rizal governor’s move is in response to a number or reports and complaints he received that many quarry operators are taking advantage of using their permits for site development.

Governor Ynares likewise instructed Rizal Provincial Director, Senior Superintendent Ireneo Dordas, to implement the order as soon as possible.

Prior to the cancellation of the permit of four quarry operators — Julius V. Moldes, Bhona Agoncillo, Roy Sungcuan, and Popoy Rodriguez — they were charged after they were caught in the act of illegally extracting minerals in Barangay San Jose, Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) on October 13, 2009.