The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease-and-desist order against Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) for the illegal construction of a causeway and other mining operations on Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
On February 6, the DENR-MIMAROPA Region issued a joint order directing APMC to halt the construction and operation of its causeway in Sitio Bato, Brgy. España, San Fernando Romblon, as a precaution against the potential harm to the environment.
Additionally, the agency has temporarily suspended APMC’s ore transport permit and denied its application for a miscellaneous lease agreement due to violations of the Public Land Act.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Romblon will likewise be filing legal actions related to the reported cutting of trees without a permit and will be investigating any damage to sea grass and other marine resources.
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) said in a statement that they support the decision made by the DENR to halt APMC from building a causeway and transporting nickel ore.
ATM national coordinator Jaybee Garganera said that the DENR order is “a clear victory for the people of Sibuyan. Without the firm resistance of the Sibuyan residents, we doubt if the DENR will lift a finger on the violations of the APMC.”
Rodne Galicia, the executive director of Living Laudato Si, stated in a Facebook post that they will maintain the barricade until the exploration permit and mineral production sharing agreement of APMC is canceled.
“We will also exhaust all administrative and legal means to defend Sibuyan Island and end the abuses and disrespect to our communities. We call on all Filipinos and those who love Sibuyan to join our cause as we unite to defend the rights of nature on which all human rights and lives depend,” he said.
Elizabeth Ibañez, the coordinator of Sibuyanons Against Mining, stated that if the DENR is truly committed to safeguarding the rights and honoring the desires of the people of Sibuyan, it should permanently revoke the exploration permit and mineral production sharing agreement of APMC.
On January 13, PENRO-Romblon received verbal complaints about the alleged illegal construction of causeway by APMC without securing an environmental compliance certification (ECC).
In a dialogue last week, DENR MIMAROPA regional director Joe Amil Salino said that APMC violated Presidential Decree (PD) 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines – shore easement construction of structures, department administrative order 2004-24 and its implementing rules and regulations on no foreshore lease agreement, construction of causeway without Environment Compliance Certificate and cutting/clearing of trees without permit.
