INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines 鈥斅� Around 1,300 residents of two barangays in Surigao City and the Mamanwa tribe signed a petition opposing to large-scale illegal mining in their areas.聽
In a joint petition sent to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the groups called out the Palau Pacific Partners, as they 鈥渂eg鈥� the agency for attention.聽聽
鈥淲E ARE IN DANGER. WE NEED HELP. Our place was once peaceful not until the illegal large-scale mining activity devastated and ruined our community. It was in December 2023 when some of the residents noticed some Chinese nationals with Filipino agents and representatives coming in and out of our place and started negotiating with land owners for purposes of buying real properties,鈥� the document reads.聽
聽In January 2024, the residents said they noticed the 24/7 land excavation of the company reportedly mining gold.聽
鈥淭hey had been using their permits to make it appear that there exists a legal operation under the guise of a legitimate quarry where in fact they are not!鈥� the petitioners said.聽聽
鈥淐learly, under plain view, they are operating an illegal large-scale mining in our place albeit a lack of necessary permits, clearances, and other mandatory requisites as well as prior and proper public consultation and consent, and in clear violation of the various environmental laws,鈥� they added.聽
The residents also requested the agency to conduct a thorough investigation into the activity and hold the people behind, including protectors of the illegal mining activity accountable.聽
鈥淭his gross violation of our laws, the constitutional rights to local autonomy, to public participation, and a balanced and healthful ecology 鈥� ultimately, gathered us to file this instant petition,鈥� the petition addressed to DENR read.聽
鈥淲e respectfully and strongly urge you to conduct parallel investigations and inquiries into the violations perpetrated by these companies and to undertake environmental and human rights due diligence and to hold not only the private companies but also their 鈥減rotectors鈥� accountable,鈥� it adds.聽
According to the residents, the company involved violated the following laws:
- Philippine Mining Act (Republic Act 7942)
- Philippine Water Act (Republic Act 9275)
- Revised Forestry Code (PD 705)
- Philippine Water Code (PD 1067)
- Indigenous People鈥檚 Rights Act (RA NO. 8371) (IPRA)
- Clean Water Act (RA NO. 9275)
- Clean Air Act (RA NO. 8749)
- Environmental Compliance Certificate (PD NO. 1586)
During the House committee on appropriations hearing on the DENR鈥檚 budget last August, the illegal quarrying in the mainland of Surigao del Norte province was raised.聽
In response, the DENR findings showed that 30 quarry operators were monitored.
鈥淥ut of 30 operators, 10 are operating without ECC and three are operating with ECC but for issuance of Notice of Violations for Water Discharge Permit and Permit to Operate,鈥� the report reads.聽
In line with this, the agency recommended the provincial government and local government unit of Surigao to 鈥渟trictly conduct regular patrolling and monitoring, document and report to the concerned agencies and offices any signs of illegal activities therein.鈥�
The agency through its investigating team likewise recommended 鈥渢he issuance of Cease and Desist Order covering all mining activities in the subject quarry area,鈥� among others.聽