Multisectoral group seeks 50-year mining moratorium in Antique

THE MEETING The Amlig Antique Coalition meet with Antique Provincial Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay (sixth from left), who chairs the provincial board's Committee on the Environment, on May 29, regarding their petition for a 5--year mining moratorium in the province. —PHOTO COURTESY OF KARMILA DIMAMAY

ILOILO CITY—An alliance of religious leaders, environmental advocates and civil society groups have formally petitioned the Provincial Board (PB) of Antique urging for a 50-year mining moratorium in the province.

The Amlig Antique Alliance, led by Bishop Marvyn Maceda of the Catholic Diocese of San Jose and Bishop Leon Estrella of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Diocese of Antique, submitted their petition before the PB on May 28.

PB Member Karmila Dimamay, chairperson of the PB’s environment committee, received the petition and met with the group on the same day.

Aside from Maceda and Estrella, the petition was also signed by 40 other persons comprising civil society and professional organizations, schools, cooperatives, agricultural and fisheries councils, youth groups, and municipal environment and natural resources offices.

The petition specifically targets a 3,715-hectare mineral reservation proposed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) covering the towns of Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Sibalom; and 20 pending mining applications covering 53,000 hectares across 13 towns in the province.

The group cited four reasons why they sought a mining moratorium: ecological protection, potential for biodiversity loss, cultural survival, and a sustainable future in the province.

Unique circumstances

The alliance filed the petition after the Supreme Court struck down provincial ordinances in Oriental Mindoro that effectively banned mining in its territory until 2027.

But for the group, Antique’s case is unique, citing its fragile mountain ecosystems, vital watersheds, and unparalleled biodiversity requiring special protection.

“While we are deeply concerned about the Supreme Court’s decision nullifying the moratorium in Mindoro for being too broad, this ruling cannot be indiscriminately applied here,” said Lawyer Rolly Pedrina, president of group Dihon sa Raya, Inc., and the alliance’s spokesperson.

“Antique’s steep terrain and rich biodiversity make mining particularly hazardous; a single landslide could devastate entire communities,” he added.

The group called on incoming Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael Lotilla, a native of Sibalom town in Antique, to reject the MGB’s proposed mine reservation in the province.

“As stewards of God’s creation, we appeal to Secretary Lotilla’s conscience because the blood of Sibalom runs in his veins. He must reject the proposed mineral reserve and mining applications in the mountains of Antique,” said Fr. Edione Febrero, president of St. Anthony’s College and superintendent of the Antique Diocesan Catholic Schools.