CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Efforts to stop illegal mining and logging in Misamis Oriental may slow down, as budget cuts force environmental enforcers to scale back operations—raising risks for communities already prone to flooding and disasters.

The Provincial Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (PLENRO) warned that reduced funding could delay response times, giving violators more room to operate.

Slower response to illegal activities in upland areas, higher risk of flooding, landslides, and environmental damage, and possible delays in monitoring quarry and mining operations, as PLENRO chief Geran John Flores said the office received only P30 million from its proposed over P48 million budget, limiting its ability to enforce environmental laws.

You may also like: Misor hospitals face decline, mismanagement blamed

Despite the cut, Flores noted that PLENRO remains one of the province’s top revenue earners, generating P75 million last year, with shares benefiting barangays and municipalities.

But the reduced budget has forced a drastic downsizing of its enforcement team.

From 250 personnel, the task force has been reduced to just 90, and now only nine personnel are assigned to monitor mining activities across the entire province.

These personnel are responsible for overseeing 39 active permit holders in quarrying and sand and gravel operations, as well as processing 43 pending applications.

“Kung naay illegal activity sa Gingoog, moabot pa mi og tulo ka oras bago makaresponde—wala na ang nagbuhat,” Flores said, noting that violators could easily escape before authorities arrive.

He added that the budget cut has effectively dismantled the task force that once led enforcement operations.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is facing similar constraints.

PDRRMO head Fernando Dy said funding for additional emergency responders was slashed from P1.2 million to just P100,000, leaving the province with only four responders.

This, he said, weakens the province’s ability to respond quickly to disasters and support 25 local government units (LGUs).

“We could no longer hire additional responders or augment operations. This will affect how fast we can respond during emergencies,” Dy said.

With rising environmental risks and ongoing quarry operations, officials warn that limited manpower and slower response could worsen the impact of illegal activities, especially during heavy rains and extreme weather.