‘Historic’: Environmental groups hail 50-year mining moratorium in Palawan

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'The ordinance is a clear legal expression of Palawan’s opposition to mining, which the Marcos administration and the DENR must fully respect,' says Alyansa Tigil Mina national coordinator Jaybee Garganera

MANILA, Philippines – Environmental and anti-mining groups on Thursday, March 6, hailed a new local ordinance implementing a 50-year moratorium on new mining applications in Palawan.

The ordinance does not affect ongoing mining operations and existing applications in the province. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Palawan approved Wednesday, March 5, the said ordinance and made the moratorium extendible.

“The ordinance is a clear legal expression of Palawan’s opposition to mining, which the [Marcos] administration and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) must fully respect,” said Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of coalition Alyansa Tigil Mina.

“It reflects the lack of consent by stakeholders for mining contracts and operations in the region,” he added.

Rappler sought comment from the DENR but has yet to receive a response.

Grizelda Mayo-Anda of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center said the ordinance was a “historic step” that would protect Palawan’s forests, natural resources, indigenous communities, farmers, and fisherfolk.

According to Anda, the push for this moratorium started in December 2024, when the bishops of Palawan wrote a pastoral letter.

“There is no responsible mining in the country and in Palawan,” the bishops wrote as they urged the provincial board to pass a moratorium of at least 25 years, a period when “thorough” study and mapping of mining no-go zones should be completed.

Because the moratorium only covers new mining applications, Vic Colili, councilor of Brooke’s Point, said they should be more “vigilant” in monitoring ongoing mining activities.

“Kaya mahalaga na ang mga lokal 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,” Colili said.

(That’s why it’s important that local officials of Palawan are vigilant and firm and not be swayed by the dictates of politicians with mining interests.)

Sixteen mining firms currently hold approved mining tenements and contracts in Palawan, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The bishops’ letter last December mentioned 67 exploration permit applications in Coron, Taytay, Araceli, Dumaran, and Roxas in northern Palawan. The province is home to some of the nickel mines in the country.

– Rappler.com