PALAWAN – Environmental and civil society groups have welcomed a landmark decision by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Palawan to impose a 50-year moratorium on endorsing new mining applications in the province.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), a coalition opposing destructive mining activities in the Philippines, hailed the ordinance as a major victory for environmental conservation and Indigenous rights.

“The approval of the moratorium is a victory for all those who have strongly resisted mining in Palawan,” said Jaybee Garganera, ATM’s national coordinator. “Without their persistent lobbying and protest actions, this would not have been possible.”

Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, Executive Director of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), described the measure as a “historical step” in safeguarding Palawan’s forests and natural resources.

The ordinance, years in the making, gained momentum in 2024 after local bishops, Indigenous groups, and environmentalists rallied against the industry, gathering thousands of signatures in a petition.

“This ordinance is a clear legal expression of Palawan’s opposition to mining, which the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) must fully respect,” Garganera added.

However, officials clarified that the moratorium applies only to new mining applications, meaning previously approved mining operations will continue.

“Bagama’t may moratorium ordinance, saklaw lang nito ang mga bagong applications. Lahat ng mga existing applications bago ang ordinansa ay patuloy na papayagan ang operasyon. Gayunpaman, mababawasan pa rin ang banta sa pagkasira ng kalikasan at kagubatan ng Palawan,” said Brooke’s Point Councilor Vic Colili.

Colili emphasized the need for vigilance in monitoring existing projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

“Anumang mga paglabag ay maaaring maging dahilan ng suspension o kaya cancellation ng kanilang permit,” the councilor said.

“Kaya mahalaga na ang mga lokal na opisyal ng Palawan ay maging mapagbantay at manindigan at huwag maging sunod-sunuran sa dikta ng mga pulitikong may kinalaman sa mining o di kaya nagmamay-ari ng minahan. Kailangan natin ng mga matitino at makakalikasang politiko na mamahala sa Palawan,” he added.

Environmental advocates hope the moratorium will eventually lead to a total ban on mining in Palawan, a region known as “the last frontier” for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.

📷 Alyansa Tigil Mina