Ordinance 3646 – Mining Moratorium

50-Year Mining Moratorium in Palawan

A Landmark Victory for People and Planet

In a historic move to safeguard Palawan’s rich natural heritage, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan passed Provincial Ordinance No. 3646, series of 2025, declaring a 50-year extendable moratorium on all large- and small-scale mining activities across the province. This groundbreaking ordinance is a monumental step toward protecting the country's last ecological frontier.

What the Ordinance Declares

The ordinance places a province-wide moratorium on the issuance of government endorsements for:

  • Exploration permits

  • Mineral agreements

  • Financial or technical assistance agreements

  • Large- and small-scale mining applications

This moratorium is effective for 50 years, and can be extended upon further review. It aims to shift the province’s development path toward agri-tourism and sustainable livelihoods while preventing further ecological degradation.

Why This Matters

Palawan is home to unique biodiversity, Indigenous cultural landscapes, and some of the oldest forests in Southeast Asia. Despite this, as of 2024, there were 11 active Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) and 77 pending mining applications, posing imminent threats to forests, rivers, and coastal ecosystems.

The ordinance is a bold response to growing public resistance, with over 134,000 Palaweños signing a petition supporting a moratorium. It also reflects a critical outcome of the Palawan Stakeholders’ Congress on Mining and the Environment, where over 84% voted in favor of the moratorium.

Key Features of the Ordinance

  • Criminalizes unauthorized mining-related activities and issuance of endorsements by barangay, municipal, or provincial officials.

  • Establishes a Mining Moratorium Council, composed of representatives from government, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, academe, and faith-based groups.

  • Prioritizes agri-tourism development during the moratorium period to create jobs and promote sustainability.

  • Creates a dedicated Office of the Mining Moratorium Council to oversee implementation, recommend policy improvements, and ensure compliance.

  • Enforces strict penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment, with specific accountability for government and corporate actors.

The Role of the Mining Moratorium Council

The Council serves as the advisory and monitoring body responsible for:

  • Gathering scientific data to assess environmental risks

  • Reviewing the province’s mining policy before the moratorium expires

  • Coordinating with stakeholders to ensure environmental protection

  • Recommending legislative or executive actions to sustain ecological balance

A Turning Point for Environmental Governance

This ordinance recognizes that true environmental stewardship means placing ecosystems, communities, and future generations above extractive profit. It draws strength from:

  • The 1987 Constitution’s mandate to uphold the right to a balanced and healthful ecology

  • The Local Government Code of 1991, empowering LGUs to protect public welfare

  • The collective voice of the people, who have long resisted mining in Palawan

ELAC's Stand

ELAC fully supports this ordinance as a major win in the fight for environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and sustainable development. We continue to monitor its implementation, advocate for its protection, and ensure that local communities remain at the center of decision-making.

🛑 No to Mining. Yes to Life.
🌿 Join us in defending Palawan’s future.
📩 Contact us to get involved or learn more: elacpalawan@gmail.com

#SavePalawan #NoToMining #50YearMoratorium #EnvironmentalGovernance #JusticeForNature #ELAC