Assessment of the socio-economic impacts of quarrying and processing of limestone in Norzagaray, Bulacan
Date
2009-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The persistent high rise in the price of building materials and the abundance of non-metallic mineral resources attracted to the development of cement factories in the three barangays in the municipality of Norzagaray. The primary objective of this study is to increase understanding about social, economic and environmental impacts of mining and quarrying operations on its significant communities. This research was carried out to assess the socio-economic impacts of quarrying and processing of limestone in three barangays of Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Findings of the study revealed that the host communities are aware of the social, economic, and environment impacts of quarrying in Norzagaray, Bulucan and here are no significant differences in the level of awareness among the host communities on the social, economic and environment impacts of quarrying. Topping the identified quarrying-related problem is damage to roads which give rise to damage to other vehicles or cause accidents, according to the residents of Brgy. Matictic and Brgy. Minuyan, while in Brgy. Bigte topping their list of problems is ground vibration due to blasting. While the least identified problem in Brgy. Maticitc is influx of employed migrants, in Brgy. Minuyan is the landscape effects during extraction resulting in visual intrusion and changes to landscape character, and lastly in Brgy. Bigte is dust emission due to blasting. The study identified the possible solutions to the quarrying-related problems, the three host communities agreed that to repair and maintain roads at the weekend outside the normal working week and especially to avoid congestion during peak hours.
Description
Keywords
Socio-economic impacts, Limestone, Limestone quarrying, Norzagaray, Community development