Alyansa Narra brings 5,000 signatures to government offices in a call against mining and coal expansion

By Environmental Legal Assistance Center
June 2026 | Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

On the eve of World Environment Day, communities from Narra traveled from their municipality to Puerto Princesa City to bring a clear message to government offices: protect Narra’s land, waters, rice fields, forests, livelihoods, and future from destructive mining and coal expansion.

Led by Alyansa Narra, the June 4 People’s Mobilization Caravan brought together residents and sectoral representatives from various barangays of Narra, including youth leaders, senior citizens, farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, church representatives, environmental advocates, community organizations, and civil society supporters.

The caravan formed part of Alyansa Narra’s continuing campaign against mining activities and the proposed expansion of a coal-fired power plant in the municipality.

For many participants, the issue is deeply connected to daily life. Narra’s communities depend on healthy rivers, forests, coastal ecosystems, and agricultural lands for food, water, livelihood, culture, and security. The group said that projects affecting these resources must be subject to transparency, due process, meaningful community participation, and strong environmental safeguards.

A call rooted in land, livelihood, and rights

Throughout the mobilization, Alyansa Narra raised concerns over the possible impacts of mining and coal-fired power generation on water resources, rice production, fisheries, biodiversity, public health, and climate resilience.

The group emphasized that their campaign is rooted in a shared concern for Narra and Palawan’s future.

Alyansa Narra also underscored the importance of protecting Narra as one of Palawan’s important agricultural areas. For farmers and their families, land and water are not abstract environmental issues. They are the foundation of livelihood, food security, and community survival.

During the press conference, community speakers reiterated that development must not come at the cost of people’s health, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Instead, they called for development pathways that prioritize renewable energy, ecological sustainability, public welfare, and respect for community and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

Petitions brought to government offices

As part of the caravan, Alyansa Narra visited several government offices, including the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO), the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan.

The group submitted petition letters and the preliminary 5,000-plus signatures gathered through its continuing campaign against mining operations and coal-fired power plant expansion in Narra.

Through these submissions, Alyansa Narra asked concerned offices to clarify issues related to mining exploration, environmental compliance, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and public accountability.

The group also urged relevant agencies to implement Palawan’s mining moratorium, signed in March 2025. Alyansa Narra called for the immediate establishment and activation of the Mining Moratorium Council, which it said is necessary to help monitor, oversee, and enforce moratorium-related policies.

The alliance said delays in implementing oversight mechanisms leave communities vulnerable to environmental threats.

Concerns over PCSD reception

Members of Alyansa Narra also expressed disappointment over what they described as the response they received at the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.

According to the group, participants were made to wait outside the agency’s premises for more than 20 minutes, during which the gate was closed, as they attempted to submit documents and formally communicate their concerns.

At the press conference held at the VJR Hall of the Provincial Capitol, Alyansa Narra President Pastor Romil Manglicmot expressed frustration regarding the incident.

“Masama ang loob namin na hindi kami harapin. Magpapa-receive lang naman po kami pero ganoon ang naging tugon ng isang ahensiya ng gobyerno na inaasahan ng mamamayan,” Manglicmot said.

Manglicmot said the experience was disheartening, particularly because communities expected an agency mandated to promote sustainable development and environmental governance to be open to dialogue with concerned citizens.

He contrasted the incident with the reception they received from DENR-PENRO, where personnel received the delegation and accommodated their concerns.

Manglicmot also called on Palawan Governor Amy Alvarez to look into the matter and help ensure that government offices remain accessible and responsive to the public.

“Kaya ipinaparating namin, maging sa ating Gobernadora na si Amy Alvarez, na dapat tutulan ang hindi pagharap sa amin ng PCSD. Isa itong paglapastangan sa karapatang pantao. Nais naming mabigyan ito ng kaukulang aksyon sapagkat ang aming ipinaglalaban ay hindi para sa pansariling interes kundi para sa kapakanan ng buong lalawigan,” Manglicmot said.

A movement for Narra’s future

For Alyansa Narra, the June 4 caravan was more than a one-day mobilization. It was a public expression of community solidarity and democratic participation.

The group said it will continue to call for transparency, accountability, respect for Free, Prior and Informed Consent, protection of agricultural lands and ecosystems, and a clean energy future for Palawan.

ELAC recognizes the importance of community voices in environmental governance. When communities organize peacefully to ask questions, submit petitions, and demand transparency, they are exercising their right to participate in decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods, and environment.

As Alyansa Narra declared during the mobilization:

“Tindig Narra. Hindi sa mapanirang pagmimina. Hindi sa maruming enerhiya. Protektahan ang buhay, tubig, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan.”