Sibuyanons file before DENR Petition to Cancel Altai’s mining contract

Protesting residents of Sibuyan Island, Romblon, formally elevated their demand to cancel the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) of Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) by filing a petition before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today.

Elizabeth Ibañez, Coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM) said, “We are filing this petition because the DENR has so far remained deaf to all of our efforts to have the MPSA cancelled. We hope that this petition, which contains all the violations of Altai, will compel the DENR to act on the issue.”

According to Rodne Galicha, Executive Director of Living Laudato Si, “DENR itself has found that Altai Mining has violated several laws due to their construction of structures that have no Environmental Compliance Certificate, lack of foreshore lease agreement, and for cutting or clearing of trees without permit. These are precisely the reasons why it has issued a Cease and Desist Order against the company.”

“Yet, despite these violations, the DENR has not yet cancelled Altai’s MPSA,” added Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, the petitioners’ legal counsel from the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ). “It is totally unacceptable that Altai continues to have mining rights in Sibuyan when it has shown total disrespect to government laws and regulations and caused damage to the environment and communities.”

The residents have been demanding the DENR to cancel the mining contract through a human barricade that has run for two years now, vigils and actions at the DENR office, dialogues with DENR representatives and petition letters to DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

“We are exhausting all means to absolutely stop mining in our island, which is known for its biodiversity and hailed as the Galapagos of Asia,” said Fr. Francis Fornal, a parish priest based in Sibuyan, who stressed that several local government units in the island have issued ordinances and resolutions opposing mining.

“The people of Sibuyan stand firm against mining in our island.  Our local governments have repeatedly expressed opposition to large-scale mining, which is required by law for any mining operations to happen,” he added.

Fr. Ethelbert Magbata, Director of Romblon Diocesan Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Affairs, said “Together with our bishop and the clergy of the Diocese of Romblon, we reiterate our position in supporting the cause of Sibuyanons in protecting the integrity of creation and we call on the DENR to cancel Altai’s mining agreement. Further, the Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) composed of different faith communities renews its commitment to oppose mining in the province and urge the government to prioritize eco-tourism and agriculture.”

Meanwhile, Sibuyan environmental defender Fabert Reyes, noted that despite being charged with harassment cases by Altai in order to silence anti-mining advocates, protestors remain committed to resist mining. “We will not be restrained from voicing out our demands and from raising the destruction caused by mining in Sibuyan,” he stressed.

Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), expressed solidarity to the anti-mining struggle of the residents.  “We laud the Sibuyan people for their bravery and we fully support them in their demands. We call on DENR Secretary Loyzaga to decide, once and for all, to cancel Altai’s MPSA.”