‘Sunwest fencing project in Mt. Mayon’s danger zone has no Environmental Compliance Certificate’

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY ---The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office in Bicol has confirmed that Sunwest Construction Inc.’s fencing project in Barangay Tumpa, Camalig, located within the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano, has no Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

In a letter addressed to Albay Governor Noel Rosal, Geri-Geronimo R. Sañez, DENR Officer-in-Charge, clarified that no ECC has been issued for the construction project.

“This refers to your letter to Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr., CESO III, requesting a copy of an ECC, if any, issued to Sunwest Inc. for the construction of a fence on Lot No. 7745 located at Barangay Tumpa, Camalig, Albay,” Sañez wrote.

“Upon verification of our online system and official records, please be informed that no ECC has been issued by this office for the said fence construction project,” the letter read. “We trust this clarifies your concern. Should you require further assistance, please feel free to contact us.”

Likewise, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin G. Baldo Jr. also informed Governor Rosal that Sunwest Inc. has neither filed nor been granted any fencing permit for the said property.

“This refers to your letter dated October 13, 2025, regarding the inspection conducted by the Task Force Quarry on Lot No. 7745 of Sunwest Inc., at Barangay Tumpa, Camalig, and your request for a copy of the fencing permit or relevant documents related to the property,” Baldo stated in his response.

“In coordination with our Municipal Engineering Office, and as certified by our municipal engineer Engr. Celino B. Serra, no fencing permit application has been filed, and no such permit has been issued to Sunwest Inc. for the mentioned property,” Baldo added. “We assure you of our full support and cooperation in this matter.”

Bishop: ‘Useless structure’ must be dismantled

Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi weighed in on the controversy, saying the fence should be removed immediately, calling it a “useless structure” built in a no man’s land.

“I really believe that [the fence] does not deserve to be there. It is a useless structure. It will only add to the true motive behind its construction. It has no purpose. It has no reason to be there. There is definitely an ulterior and selfish motive,” Bishop Baylon said in an interview.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) classifies the 6-kilometer PDZ around Mayon Volcano as a strict no man’s land due to the high risk of volcanic hazards.

Fencing Project Discovered by Task Force Quarry

On October 13, 2025, Governor Rosal sent letters to the DENR, Camalig LGU, Sunwest Inc., and the Registry of Deeds (ROD) to inquire about the legitimacy of the fencing project that reportedly runs two kilometers alongside a road construction project in the same area.

Within a day, both the DENR and Mayor Baldo responded, stating that no permits had been issued. As of press time, the Registry of Deeds has not yet responded.

“Update regarding the action taken by the LGU-Albay re: fencing activity within the 6-km permanent danger zone: LGU-Camalig – responded, DENR-EMB – responded; Registry of Deeds – none,” Rosal said. “We will conduct an investigation after the 10-day deadline for the offices to respond.”

Rosal emphasized that the fence was discovered by chance during routine field work by provincial employees checking on quarry operations in the area.

“What they uncovered was worse than any quarry operation—a fence being built within the 4-kilometer danger zone of Mayon Volcano,” Rosal said. “Imagine that—first a road was built from the gully, and now a fence in the danger zone. This is too much.”

According to workers onsite, the fencing project is being carried out by Sunwest Construction Inc., adjacent to a road network project also covering parts of Barangay Tumpa in Camalig town.

Governor Rosal has since ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, citing the dangers posed by infrastructure development within such a high-risk zone.