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| Magaleño Youth in an Unknown Cave |
In the light of the current issue of cleaning and beautification of Buyuc ning Menila (Manila bay) including the dumping of crushed dolomite quarried from Cebu, there are several studies published by Philippine Journal of Science of the Bureau of Science (forerunner of the present Department of Science and Technology) tells about the minerals quarried and used in different infrastructure projects during those times. In Pampanga, we are lucky that we have different minerals sources thanks to the pre-historic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Way back to the Spanish period, various structures of the old buildings such as large and beautiful churches are made up wood, sand and stone which are quarried from Porac, Pampanga. The heritage church of San Bartolome Parish is one of the best examples, its stone buttresses are made up of large stones quarried from Porac. When the Americans established its presence in the Philippines, they launched various scientific studies in order to know of what are the natural resources that can be economically exploited for the benefit of their interests. One of them is the minerals found in the Philippines either precious or non precious minerals.
According to a study published by Philippine Journal of Science in 1907, there is a presence of white siliceous clay in barrio San Agustin. This kind of clay is one of the examples of building materials. Possibly, this clay is found in Sapa Masalibusud known today as Dapa Creek. Sand is also abundant in Quitangil riverb and it is made up of volcanic material. It was used as one of the building materials in the construction of Magalang Municipal Building in 1923. Gravel was also abundant in Paitan riverbank and it is classified as Seoriacious basalt, used also as one of the building materials in the construction of the municipal hall.
Aside from Magalang, there is abundant sources of sand in other parts in Pampanga. In Angeles, there is a abundance of sand in Abacan river. In Mexico, there is also a significant presence of sand in barrio Sto Rosario and town of Sta Ana particularly in barrio San Agustin. Floridablanca has also recorded significant source of sand in Valdez river.
When Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the towns of Porac and Bacolor are the most affected towns during the eruption. However after the unforgettable tragedy, these towns emerged as one of the source of construction sand, and it is one of their income generators not only to their municipality but also to the province also. Magalang's last known quarry operation was located in barrio La Paz formerly owned by the late Cecilio T. Manalili. It was totally ceased operations around 2000s.
Pampanga is still one of the preferred sources of construction sand and gravel. Despite of traumatic experience caused by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, it also gave a thriving and income generating industry which will uplift the lives of Kapampangans.
Photo Credits:
Angeles University Foundation- Institute of Kapampangan Studies
Sources:
Aguilar, R.H. (1927) Concrete Value of Philippine Sand, Gravel and Crushed Stone, The Philippine Journal of Science, Bureau of Science, Manila
Cox, Alvin J. (1907) The Occurrence, Composition and Radioactivity of the Clays from Luzon, Philippine Islands, The Philippine Journal of Science, Bureau of Science, Manila