‘Save Sibuyan’: Locals Urge Marcos Jr. to Halt Altai Mining Operations

MANILA, Philippines – Locals and environmental advocates are urging the Marcos Jr. administration and the local government to stop planned mining activities by Altai Philippines Mining Corporation on Sibuyan Island, dubbed the “Galápagos of Asia.” A petition launched by Living Laudato Si’ Philippines on Tuesday, July 21, has been gaining traction after the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando reportedly endorsed Altai’s planned mining activities covering 42 hectares on the island. The petition had garnered at least 1,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning, July 22. “The proposed mining activities extend far beyond a single project site. They pose risks to interconnected forests, rivers, watersheds, agricultural lands, coastal ecosystems, and communities,” the petition read. The petition cites significant opposition from local residents. According to San Fernando Councilor Daxie Rios, a motion to approve Altai’s application for a declaration of mining project feasibility (DMPF) was made during a regular session on Friday, July 17. “Nagulat kami kasi pinag-uusapan pa lang ‘yun at maya-maya may nag-motion na,” Rios told Rappler in a message on Tuesday night. Six councilors voted in favor while three others, including Rios, voted against the motion. “Dapat po talaga dadaan mo sa masusing balitaktakan at masusing pag-aaral bago ma-endorse po ‘yun,” Rios added. “At dadaan mo sa public hearing at mga barangay.” (We were surprised because we were only discussing it and then later on someone made a motion. That should go through intensive debate, study, and through public hearings and the villages before endorsing.) In 2023, Sibuyan residents formed a human barricade to stop Altai’s mining trucks transporting nickel ore samples. Sibuyan Island is home to the Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park, a 15,000-hectare protected area under the law. There is still a standing cease-and-desist order that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued in 2023 following the public outcry. Based on DENR Administrative Order 2010-21, a company files a declaration of mining project feasibility “if results of exploration reveal the presence of mineral deposits economically and technically feasible for mining operations.” If approved, the mining company can then apply for either a mineral agreement or a financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA). These instruments allow commercial mining production. The petition is the latest attempt to drum up support against any planned mining activities on the island. Residents have been staging noise barrage protests in San Fernando since Friday. – Rappler.com