It’s Not Just Nature We’re Losing, But Our Unity
Community Call for the Implementation of the Mining Moratorium Ordinance in Palawan
Amid ongoing discussions on mining in Palawan, community representatives—Indigenous Peoples, youth, local leaders, and residents—have come forward to share their experiences and stand.
In a press conference led by the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, one message was clear: the impacts of mining go beyond environmental destruction—they also fracture the social fabric of communities.
“In the history of Brooke’s Point, even before the mountains were destroyed, mining had already broken the unity of the people,”
said Atty. Jean Feliciano, Vice Mayor of Brooke’s Point.
For many communities, mining is not just about land—it is about unity, culture, and the future.
Developments that caused confusion and concern among communities about the actual status of the mining moratorium's implementation.
These include:
- The continued filing and processing of applications for exploration permits and Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) in Narra;
- The planned expansion of operations of Ipilan Nickel Corporation in Brooke’s Point, which may require the cutting of approximately 32,000 trees;
- Applications for tree-cutting permits related to mining activities;
- The issuance of permits to Berong Nickel Corporation, which may result in the removal of more than 70,000 trees;
- The recent endorsement by the Sangguniang Bayan of Brooke’s Point of Ipilan Nickel Corporation’s application for a 2026 Mayor’s Permit further raises questions about how the mining moratorium is being implemented at the local level.
Palawan Mining Moratorium at a Crossroads
What Recent Local Endorsements Reveal About Implementation Gaps in Palawan
Losing Nature, Affecting Lives
Indigenous leaders and youth shared their growing concern over the continuing threat of mining.
“Mining destroys not only the environment, but also the relationships among people in the community,”
said Sweet Peah Leocadio, an Indigenous youth from Quezon, Palawan.
It is not only ecosystems that are damaged—trust, culture, and community ties are also at risk.
According to Silvestra Dadizon of Narra:
“Since mining started in our area, it marked the beginning of the erosion of Indigenous culture and traditions.”
For Indigenous communities, land is not merely a resource—it is part of their identity.
Livelihoods and the Future
Youth leaders and community representatives emphasized that there are sustainable alternatives to mining.
“Farming is sustainable because it sustains Indigenous Peoples. Mining, on the other hand, leads to their destruction,”
said Mamilar Dubria, a youth leader from Brooke’s Point.
The call is not only about opposition—it is about choosing safer and more sustainable livelihoods.
Call to Government: Act Now
Amid the testimonies, a strong and urgent call emerged: immediate government action.
“The government, which holds power, must act—not tomorrow, but now,”
Sweet Phea Leocadio.
At the same time, speakers underscored the need to fully implement the Mining Moratorium Council to ensure proper monitoring of activities across municipalities.
“We are calling for the establishment of a Mining Moratorium Council so we can monitor what is entering each municipality.” Leocadio stressed
Safeguarding the Future
For members of the Save Palawan Movement, the issue is directly tied to the safety of communities.
“We hope the Mining Moratorium Council will truly be implemented… otherwise, our mountains will be depleted, and we will all suffer from flooding,”
said Corman Davila.
This is a reminder that environmental destruction has direct consequences on people’s lives.
A Call to Awareness
In closing, community leaders urged the public not to ignore what is happening on the ground.
“Let us not turn a blind eye… we already know and see what is happening in our communities,”
said Monette O. Lantas of SAKATAN-Narra.
And as Erlinda Geneso, an Indigenous woman from Sofronio Española, reminded:
“Nature was created by God for us to care for and protect—not to destroy.”
More Than Just an Issue
Ultimately, the message from communities is clear: mining is not merely an economic issue—it is a matter of life, culture, and the future.
For Palawan, true wealth does not lie beneath the ground, but in its forests, rivers, seas, and in the communities that continue to defend them.
