The Supreme Court (SC) granted the petition of Writ of Kalikasan against the two private mining firms, Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) and Celestial Nickel Mining and Exploration Corporation (Celestial), along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its affiliate agency the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
The move follows reports of unlawful mining operations and practices accusations by indigenous peoples of the BICAMM Ancestral Domain of Brooke’s Point in Palawan,
In a report by CNN Philippines, the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in Palawan cited that the unlawful mining practices and illegal cutting of trees conducted by the concerned parties pose a danger to the residents and cause irreparable environmental damage.
The petitioners argued that the contract area in the deal coincides with a protected land prohibited for mining operations. Additionally, the said activities have damaged the life and wellness of the affected residents.
Furthermore, the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) sealed last 1993 was allegedly extended illegally until 2025. With INC as the designated mining operator, the said agreement covers around 2,835 hectares of land in Brooke’s Point.
In its issued resolution, the SC expressed its agreement with the raised concerns and said that environmental damage such as extreme flooding and contamination of fishing areas, may be caused by continued mining operations and excavation of nickel minerals. Thus, it may bring serious and irreversible unfortunate impacts on the area and its residents.
The court demanded INC and Celestial for evidence to debunk the concerns regarding the mining operations they are conducting that harm the environment.
On the other hand, within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the granted petition, the court ordered DENR and MGB, as well as the mining companies to file a verified return of the writ.
Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency
