To address concerns of “environmental degradation in any parts of Samar”, environmental advocates in the region are organizing a prayer rally this Saturday to protest mining operations on the historically significant Homonhon Island.
According to a recent report by CNN, the prayer assembly, named “Jericho Walk,” is scheduled at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Guiuan town.
Caritas Borongan, through its Facebook post invitation, persists in advocating for environmental protection, focusing on addressing mining issues and environmental degradation across Samar.
However, organizers noted that they were unable to conduct a protest at Guiuan Town Plaza due to the lack of a permit from the local government unit (LGU).
Meanwhile, Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan confirmed the absence of a permit, stating that they did not apply for a permit for their prayer rally but expressed hope for a peaceful assembly by the anti-mining group on Saturday.
Last year, the Diocese of Borongan organized two prayer rallies against mining in Eastern Samar. The first was in August, and the second in November was canceled due to permit issues.
Glenn Marcelo Noble, the regional director of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau Region 8 (MGB-8), stated in a previous interview that their monitoring found no serious violations by mining companies on Homonhon.
Mining operations on Homonhon are mainly conducted by Nickelace Inc., Chromiteking Inc., and Emir Mineral Resources Corp. As of 2023, Nickelace and Chromiteking shipped 8.22 million metric tons of nickel ore and 25,000 metric tons of chromite to China.
Mayor Kwan expects the development of the master plan to commence in the first quarter of 2024, considering the island’s potential and existing challenges. Homonhon Island, part of Guiuan town, holds historical significance as the first landing site of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
