A coalition of civil society organizations, churches, and community leaders in Antique province, Philippines, are strongly opposing the Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Western Visayas (MGB-6)'s plan to declare 7,000 hectares of upland areas as a mineral reservation for copper, gold, chromite, and silver deposits. They argue that the designation could jeopardize vital watersheds, exacerbate landslides and floods, and contradict the province's push for ecotourism and sustainable growth. The coalition also criticized the MGB-6's public hearing process for lacking inclusivity and transparency.
ILOILO CITY — A coalition of civil society organizations, churches, nongovernment organizations, and community leaders in Antique is strongly opposing the plan of Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Western Visayas to declare upland areas of the province as a mineral reservation.The MGB-6 proposes to designate a 7,000-hectare mineral reservation in Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Sibalom due to the significant deposits of copper, gold, chromite and silver.
'Mining operations — whether through pollution, sedimentation, or water diversion — would degrade water quality and reduce water flow, impacting the livelihoods of thousands who rely, either directly through farming or in towns that rely on this watershed,' the coalition said.
MINING ENVIRONMENT WATER RESOURCES COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
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