Oriental Mindoro gov wants to protect Mt. Halcon, two rivers against mining

ORIENTAL MINDORO — The provincial government of Oriental Mindoro is taking steps to prevent mining attempts in the province.

Governor Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor is seeking the passage of a law to protect Oriental Mindoro's national treasures — Mount Halcon and the Aglubang and Ibulo Rivers —from mining activities.

The province was alarmed after the Supreme Court nullified a provincial ordinance in their neighboring province, Occidental Mindoro, which imposed a 25-year moratorium on large-scale mining. Oriental Mindoro has a similar ordinance in place.

In its decision on January 14, 2025, the Supreme Court declared that the ordinance implementing a large-scale mining moratorium in Occidental Mindoro and the town of Abra de Ilog violated Republic Act No. 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

According to the Supreme Court, large-scale mining and mineral resource exploration are legal under the Constitution and RA 7942.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation, which was supposed to conduct mining operations in Occidental Mindoro.

SC nullifies large-scale mining ban in Occidental Mindoro

Governor Dolor explained that Oriental Mindoro’s ordinance for a 25-year moratorium on large-scale mining was passed in 2002 and extended in 2022 for another 50 years, making it effective until 2052.

However, the Supreme Court’s decision to void Occidental Mindoro’s ordinance raised concerns for Governor Dolor, fearing that their own mining moratorium could meet the same fate.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has already passed the resolution requested by Gov. Dolor urging Oriental Mindoro’s 1st Dist. Rep. Arnan Panaligan and 2nd Dist. Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr. to create a law declaring Mt. Halcon as a national park and the Agulang and Ibulo rivers as watershed reservations.

According to the governor, the Supreme Court’s decision still leaves room for the people to reject mining operations in their locality.

"Sa ilalim ng Sections 26 at 27 ng local government code, andoon pa rin ang karapatan ng pamahalaan, ito man ay barangay, bayan, lungsod o lalawigan," he said.

"Sa pamamagitan ng consultation provision na napapaloob doon, pupuwde pa natin itong harangan, hindi man sa pamamagitan ng 25-year mining moratorium pero sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasa ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng resolution na hindi pumapayag o nagbibigay ng konsento," said Dolor.

He emphasized that the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 clearly states that mining cannot proceed without the consent of the local legislative body.

The governor also highlighted that the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act prohibits mining in areas declared as national parks and watersheds.

"Sapagkat kung ito po ay maaaprubahan sa lalong madaling panahon, maging isang declared protected watersheds area at national parks, hindi na po ito maiibo kailanman, mananatili ang pristine beauty ng ating kabundukan," said Dolor.

The governor said he is expediting the legislative process while there is still time for Oriental Mindoro.

"Kung hindi po natin ito mamadaliin ay baka ang isunod na pang iasunto ay ang deklarasyon ng nullity ng ating ordinansa sa Oriental Mindoro at dahil may desisyon na sa Occidental Mindoro hindi na sila mahihirapan na i-elevate pa ito sa Korte Suprema dahil sa same nature kaya po lahat ng ways para maiwasan natin ang anumang pagmimina sa ating kabundukan ginagawa natin," Dolor added.

Mount Halcon, with an elevation of approximately 2,586 meters above sea level, is not only one of the highest peaks in the Philippines but also one of the most biologically and ecologically significant landscapes in the country. 

It is home to the endangered Tamaraw — found only in Mindoro — and the Mindoro Bleeding-heart bird.

From a cultural and anthropological perspective, Mount Halcon is considered an ancestral domain and a sacred home to the Mangyan indigenous people, who have lived there for generations.

The Aglubang and Ibulo Rivers are important sources of domestic water supply and irrigation for farmlands.

Currently, only Mount Baco and Mount Iglit in Mindoro have been declared natural parks under existing legislation, which prevents them from being mined.

If Mount Halcon and the Aglubang and Ibulo Rivers are declared protected areas by law, Governor Dolor said this would put an end to all threats of mining in Oriental Mindoro.