Quarrying and the Agricultural Areas of Barangay Guinalbin and Ramos

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Quirino is known for having wide agricultural areas which gave birth to the reason why agriculture plays a big role to the progress and development of the province. Barangay Guinalbin and Ramos, two of the feeder barangays of Aglipay High School face quarrying-related problems as farmlands near the riverbank are being flushed by strong water due to floods and typhoons as a result of quarrying activities. This urged the researchers to assess the state of quarrying and its impact to the agricultural areas of the feeder barangays.

METHODS

A Quantitative-Qualitative Research Design was used. A purposive random sampling was employed. A Likert Scale Questionnaire was used to gather data. Simple mean and percentages were used to primary treat the data. The T-test was utilized to determine if there is a significant difference between the respondents of the two communities. Researchers conducted semi-structured interview questions to validate the data being gathered. interview answers were used to validate the quantitative findings.

RESULTS

Results show that after posting a general mean of 2.1, respondents inferred that respondents do not want quarrying to enter their community. A 2.533 mean says that respondents tend to disagree that quarrying is beneficial to the landowners. This is being supported by 60% or 18 of the respondents' answers in the interview. One of the respondents cited " Dagitay lang met agpapaquarry iti mabenbenpisyuan" (only the direct quarry partners benefit”). Results also show that quarrying affects the farmlands within the riverbanks. This is being supported by the mean score of 3 which asserts that people agree with this idea. “Ambituses digit data mi ta marigriggaay da metten" (Our farmlands are gradually fading as it is being carried by waters). Based on the data, results show that quarrying have a negative impact to the community.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results, it can be inferred that people of the community have negative perspectives on t quarrying. This study therefore supports the statement of former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez that quarrying and mining destroys the environment and its benefit is just for the short term. Despite the limitations, the results embodied the voice of the people of the community against quarrying.