Anti-mining groups urge public to ‘vote green’ in 2025 polls

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'Mining directly impacts more than half of key biodiversity areas and protected areas and almost two-thirds of claimed and titled ancestral domains of indigenous peoples,' says Abby Dupale of LILAK

MANILA, Philippines – Environmental groups urged the public on Monday, March 10, to “vote green” in the May 12 midterm elections and choose candidates with green platforms over those with links to mining companies.

Under a “Green Agenda 2025,” the groups called on candidates to reimpose a moratorium on mining projects, review contracts approved during the pandemic “including the midnight mining deals in June 2016 and June 2022,” and require mining firms to prioritize rehabilitation.

“We need to elect leaders that will push for sound environmental policies instead of trapos [traditional politicians] who cater to the interests of big business, if not their own self-serving agendas,” Jake Tabara, youth coordinator of coalition Alyansa Tigil Mina, said Monday.

Some political clans known to have mining links include the Villar and Zamora families. Manuel B. Zamora Jr., founder of Nickel Asia Corporation, is the uncle of San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora who is running for reelection. His niece, Pammy Zamora, is running for reelection as Taguig 2nd District representative. Senator Mark Villar and senatorial hopeful Camille Villar are siblings of Manuel Paolo Villar, vice chairman of TVI Resource Development Philippines Incorporated.

Despite the bad repuation of a number of companies in the extractive industry, their role in the clean energy transition is undeniable. Critical minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt are needed for the world to shift to green energy and drastically reduce carbon emissions.

A pro-mining party-list group, Bangon Bagong Minero, is vying for seats in the House of Representatives in the midterm polls.

“Hindi po posible ang green society kung wala po ang mining,” Ryan Jornada, party-list nominee, said in a previous interview with actress Toni Gonzaga. (A green society is not possible without mining)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently mandated the mining sector to align their development programs with the sustainability goals of the United Nations.

A green vote in biodiverse islands?

On the frontlines of the anti-mining struggle are advocates from Palawan and Romblon.

Both islands are high biodiversity hotspots. Palawan is home to some of the country’s nickel mines. In Sibuyan Island, Romblon, a number of residents and groups have protested the operations of Altai Philippines Mining Corporation.

“Mining directly impacts more than half of key biodiversity areas and protected areas and almost two-thirds of claimed and titled ancestral domains of indigenous peoples,” said Abby Dupale of LILAK or the Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights.

Running for reelection is Palawan Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates. Against him is San Vicente Mayor Amy Alvarez, daughter of former governor and incumbent Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose Alvarez.

Recently, Palawan’s provincial council passed a 50-year moratorium on new mining applications — a move celebrated by green groups as historic.

Church and environmental groups were crucial in the passage of the moratorium as they were “able to strategically convince Governor Socrates” to support it, said Belle Reyes of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center.

“The moratorium would not have been approved were it not for the strong lobby of the Church, NGOs, and residents and their persistent efforts over the years,” said Reyes.

The last time the national government suspended mining operations on a wide scale was when former environment secretary Gina Lopez shut down 23 mining operations in 2017. Lopez’s appointment was rejected by Congress three months later, and she died in August 2019.

On March 4, groups filed a letter with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources asking that Altai’s permit be cancelled.

“We cannot allow mining operations to destroy our island,” said Mikko John Rivero of Living Laudato Si.

This has been their ongoing call since 2023, when protests erupted in Sibuyan Island, Romblon, over Altai’s mining activities.

In Romblon, incumbent Romblon Governor Jose Riano is running for reelection, facing Odiongan Mayor Trina Fabic and former Magdiwang mayor Julie Monton. Staunch mining critic Rodne Galicha is challenging Romblon Vice Governor Armando Gutierrez. – Rappler.com