4/8/26, 12:00 PM

​

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has ordered the immediate stop of alleged illegal quarrying activities inside the Angat River-Bustos Dam Forest Reserve in Banaban, Angat, Bulacan.

In a ruling written by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the Court issued a writ of kalikasan against Halrey Construction, Inc. and its agents for conducting quarrying operations within the protected area.

The Court also granted the request of petitioner Narciso A. De Leon for a temporary environmental protection order. This directs the respondents to immediately cease quarrying, excavation, earth extraction, and similar activities in the watershed. They are likewise barred from committing further acts that could damage the environment.

In issuing the writ, the Court applied the precautionary principle, citing technical findings that the activities have significantly increased surface runoff, erosion, and sedimentation in the area. Reports also showed destruction of crops, vegetation, and fruit-bearing trees that serve as habitats for wildlife.

The Court warned that even partial changes to the natural landscape of a protected forest reserve could threaten the stability of the watershed, posing serious risks to the life, health, and property of residents in several provinces.

The forest reserve was declared protected land under Proclamation No. 573.