BACKDROP

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

IN Barangay Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, a P2.1-million hanging bridge now connects Purok Bingo 1 and Purok Bingo 2, and stretches of farm-to-market road in Sitio Keon and Sitio Bingo have been concreted through the provincial government’s Dalan ti Umili program — 650 bags of cement from the province, labor from the barangay.

For Barangay Captain Bert Gorio and his constituents, the meaning is immediate and practical. Farmers can move their produce even when it rains. Children can go to school without risking a river crossing. A new P1-million day care center is on the way. It is easy to understand why Gorio thanked Governor Jose Gambito.

This is development at its most basic and most felt. And it is happening across Nueva Vizcaya’s uplands.

But every road built upland asks a second, harder question: what else does it open?

The first answer is livelihood.

An upland road shortens distance to the market, cuts hauling costs, reduces post-harvest losses. A farmer who used to carry sacks on foot or pay high habal-habal fees can now bring more, fresher, faster. Prices improve. Traders come closer. When mobility improves, farming becomes viable as a business, not just subsistence.

For a province that depends on agriculture, that is not small. Farm-to-market roads are among the highest-return public investments.

The second answer is pressure.

The same road that brings produce out brings people in. It brings chainsaws, charcoal makers, and those looking for new patches to kaingin. It makes what was once a natural barrier — steepness, distance, inaccessibility — suddenly accessible.

In Nueva Vizcaya, our remaining forests are not in the lowlands anymore. They are in the uplands, exactly where Bitnong and many other barangays sit — in the buffer zones of watersheds, in ancestral domains, in areas that the Comprehensive Land Use Plan classifies as forest, not agricultural.

When a road is concreted, land values nearby rise. The temptation to extend farms beyond the suitable slope — to clear secondary forest because the road is now there — becomes strong.

We have seen this pattern before: good road, more corn, then more erosion, then less water downstream.

The challenge, therefore, is not whether to build upland roads. We must. But how to build them with a clear line between production and protection.

Three things can help:

1. Build with a land-use map, not just a cement map. Before another bag of cement is poured, barangay and municipal LGUs should reaffirm which areas are open for agriculture and which are not. The road should serve the first and stop at the edge of the second.

2. Pair the road with tenure and enforcement. Farmers with secure tenure farm better and clear less. At the same time, Bantay Gubat, DENR and LGUs need presence where the road ends and the forest begins.

3. Make the road carry more than crops. If the only way to benefit from a road is to produce more area, we will lose forest. If the road also brings extension services, high-value crop support, and consolidation areas that raise yield without expanding area, then preservation becomes possible.

Bitnong’s new bridge and road are worth celebrating. They are the product of counterparting — province, municipality and barangay working together. They prove that small projects, P2.1 million here, 650 bags there, change lives.

The next step is to make sure that the same road that helps a farmer bring his harvest to Dupax does not make it easier for someone else to bring the forest down to the market.

A road is never just concrete. It is direction. We should choose where it leads.

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — A growing wave of mining exploration applications across Nueva Vizcaya has alarmed lawmakers and residents, with warnings that forests, watersheds and ancestral domains are now directly in the path of potential development.  

During the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) budget briefing before the House Committee on Appropriations, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Timothy Joseph Cayton flagged what he described as a troubling expansion of mining activity in the province.  

Among the cases cited was the exploration permit of Northern Luzon Mining Resources Corporation (NLMRC) in Kasibu, an area already marked by protests, barricades and legal cases.  

Cayton also raised reports linking mining applications to forest reserves, ancestral domains and watersheds — areas that fall under existing mining restrictions.  

He called for an immediate review of exploration activities in Dupax del Norte, including a permit currently under suspension. 

The congressman also urged the DENR to scrutinize pending applications in Santa Fe and Aritao before any new permits are issued.  

“Being active in Congress is not only about attending hearings. It is about asking questions, listening, and looking for concrete solutions for Novo Vizcayanos,” Cayton said.  

The congressman, also Assistant Majority Leader, pushed for a province-wide assessment of forest and public lands to identify areas that may be reclassified as alienable and disposable. 

He said any reclassification must be backed by a biophysical assessment and supported by proper legislation.  

The concerns come as upland communities report increasing tension. 

Local groups have staged protests and put up barricades, arguing that exploration threatens farms, water sources and indigenous territories.  

Nueva Vizcaya is classified as a headwater province. 

Its forests and watersheds provide irrigation and drinking water not only to local towns but also to downstream communities in Cagayan Valley and nearby provinces. 

Critics warn that any disturbance could have consequences beyond provincial borders.  

The DENR has yet to release a consolidated report on the total number of active exploration permits and applications in Nueva Vizcaya. 

But the issues raised in Congress indicate that multiple areas are now under review, from Kasibu in the north to Dupax del Norte, Santa Fe, Aritao and Bambang.  

Environmental and community leaders have called for stricter vetting of mining applications, particularly in forestlands and ancestral domains. 

They said the absence of clear mapping of critical areas increases the risk of conflict and irreversible environmental damage.  

Cayton said Congress must ensure that exploration does not proceed without safeguards and genuine community consultation.  

For residents, the budget hearing laid bare what they described as an alarming push for mining in a province where agriculture, forestry and water remain the foundation of daily life.

ARITAO— The call to establish a Provincial Indigenous Peoples Tribal Center in Nueva Vizcaya is being framed as a response to both cultural preservation and service delivery gaps in a province that is home to about 18 indigenous peoples groups.

Millennial Isinai leader Sherlock Jama Magaway, a member of the Isinai Council of Elders in Aritao and founder of Uwwa si Vizcaya (Brother/Sister of Vizcaya), described the proposed facility as a permanent second home for indigenous peoples.

“As a millennial elder, I believe I can be a bridge between our elders’ wisdom and the energy of our young people,” Magaway said. “The Tribal Center should not only protect our past. It must meet the needs of our people today — from health to livelihood — while uniting elders and youth in charting our future.”

He added: “We will continue to protect culture and tradition; we will fight for the rights of every indigenous Vizcayano.”

A province of many tribes

The need for a shared center is linked to the province’s demographic profile. Nueva Vizcaya sits at the convergence of the Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre ranges, and its upland and lowland towns host distinct tribal communities.

Major groups include the Ifugao in the towns of Quezon, Bagabag and Kasibu; Gaddang in Solano and Bayombong; Isinai in Dupax del Sur, Bambang and Aritao; Dumagat in the Aritao area; Kalanguya or Ikalahan in Santa Fe; and Bugkalot or Ilongot in Alfonso Castañeda and Dupax del Norte.

Other groups that form part of the 18 and are present across upland municipalities include Ibaloi, Kankana-ey, Iwak, Tuwali and Ayangan.

Of these, eight are recognized as ancestral domain holders: Isinai, Bugkalot, Gaddang, Iwak, Kalanguya, Dumagat, Ayangan and Ibaloi. Their presence spans from remote mountain barangays to more accessible towns, a dispersion that makes unified governance and regular assembly difficult without a dedicated venue.

At present, the most visible province-wide gathering of these groups occurs every last week of May during the Ammungan Festival, the annual gathering of tribes. Outside of that week-long event, tribal councils often meet in separate municipal halls, barangay centers or open grounds.

Three gaps the center seeks to address

Magaway said the Tribal Center is envisioned to address three interconnected needs.

First is cultural preservation and customary governance. The facility would provide space where tribal councils, rituals and community assemblies can convene regularly, where languages can be taught, and where traditions and customary laws can be documented and promoted beyond festival performances.

Second is community development. The center is proposed to serve as a hub for livelihood training, educational programs, and youth wellness activities, aimed at fostering continuity between elders and younger members who are increasingly exposed to lowland employment and digital culture.

Third is access to basic services. Magaway said the plan includes integrating basic medical services so that indigenous families, especially those from remote and underserved areas, can have easier access to primary care and essential health support without traveling to distant town centers.

Uwwa si Vizcaya, which translates to “Kapatid ng Vizcaya” and anchors Magaway’s advocacy in Isinai heritage, promotes inclusive progress, indigenous rights, livelihood empowerment and community service.

Proponents argue that with 18 groups spread across 15 municipalities, a single, permanent facility would not only preserve ancestral heritage but also expand practical access to health, education and livelihood opportunities, providing a year-round counterpart to the symbolic unity shown during Ammungan. WITH REPORTS FROM LEANDER C. DOMINGO AND RACHEL MAGDAY

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

KALINGA—Calcius Resources Ltd. is mounting further legal action to prevent the planned Sept. 8 auction of its 40-percent interest in Makilala Mining Company Inc. (MMCI), as its dispute with Equinaire Holdings Ltd. over a loan and security agreement moves toward arbitration.

RTC denies plea but leaves core issues open

Celsius said it will file a Motion for Reconsideration after the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) denied its petition seeking interim protection against foreclosure of the Omnibus Loan and Security Agreement (OLSA) and disposition of its MMCI interest.

The denial, however, did not rule that a default had occurred or that Equinaire is legally entitled to foreclose on Celsius’ stake, the company said. The court said the substantive issues remain disputed and should be resolved through arbitration.

Dispute rooted in loan assignment

The dispute stemmed from the purported assignment of the OLSA from Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to Equinaire, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kiri Industries Ltd.

Equinaire subsequently issued notices asserting events of default and seeking enforcement of security over the 40-percent interest in MMCI held by Celsius subsidiary Makilala Holding Ltd. (MHL).

Equinaire cited several alleged defaults, including the Notice of Relinquishment issued by MHL to Sodor Inc., certain information-security incidents involving MMCI, and MHL’s move to obtain a Temporary Order of Protection from the Makati court.

Celsius rejected the allegations, maintaining that no Event of Default occurred or is continuing under the OLSA. It also disputed Equinaire’s capacity to initiate foreclosure proceedings and sell MHL’s interest in MMCI, arguing that the alleged defaults do not satisfy contractual conditions required before enforcement rights can be exercised.

Counterbond lifts protection, auction set

The legal dispute intensified after a Temporary Order of Protection previously granted by the Makati court was lifted following Equinaire’s payment of a P201-million counterbond.

Equinaire then issued a Notice of Resumption of Foreclosure and a Notice of Disposition declaring its intention to proceed with a public auction of MHL’s 40-percent interest in MMCI on Sept. 8, 2026.

MHL petitioned the court for interim measures of protection seeking to prevent foreclosure or disposition of its MMCI interest until the conclusion of arbitration. The court denied the petition, finding that MHL failed to sufficiently establish irreparable injury because the potential loss from foreclosure was primarily economic and could be addressed through arbitration.

The court expressly stated that its ruling was not a determination that an Event of Default occurred, that any alleged default was incurable, or that Equinaire is entitled to foreclose. It also recognized that the interpretation of the OLSA, the alleged defaults and Equinaire’s enforcement rights remain open for determination by an arbitral tribunal.

Legal remedies pursued

Celsius said it intends to file its Motion for Reconsideration by the end of this week. If the motion is denied, MHL intends to appeal to the Court of Appeals.

At the same time, Celsius is revising its Notice of Arbitration to commence proceedings where the merits of the dispute — including the validity of the alleged defaults and Equinaire’s enforcement rights — can be fully determined.

Tax clearance seen as post-auction hurdle

The company also pointed to a potentially significant procedural hurdle facing any immediate transfer of the MMCI shares following an auction.

Celsius said any successful buyer would need to obtain a Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR), or tax clearance, from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) before the transfer could be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to Celsius, the BIR tax-clearance process typically takes at least 27 working days, or about six to eight weeks.

The company said this could provide additional time for it to pursue court remedies, including reconsideration and a possible appeal, as well as seek interim relief through arbitration.

Focus on MCB project

For the Philippine mining sector, the dispute places renewed attention on the ownership and financing arrangements surrounding MMCI, which holds interests associated with the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project in Kalinga.

Celsius maintains that the substantive dispute remains unresolved and that the ultimate validity of any foreclosure is a matter for arbitration.

​MANILA, Philippines — Environmental protection can no longer be treated separately from national defense and regional stability. In a key address, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) outlined a policy framework that frames climate resilience as a core pillar of national security and regional peace.

​Speaking to government officials, environmental policy experts, and international partners, the DENR highlighted that climate change acts as a “threat multiplier”—amplifying existing socio-economic vulnerabilities, resource scarcity, and institutional weaknesses.

​Key Highlights & Policy Takeaways:

​Beyond Disaster Response: Climate action must move past reactive disaster relief. National security depends on secure baseline conditions: reliable food, sufficient water, resilient infrastructure, and functioning ecosystems.

​Natural Capital as Infrastructure: Natural systems (forests, coasts, and watersheds) and engineered infrastructure must be treated as mutually reinforcing assets. In resource-constrained environments, investing in nature offers a cost-effective strategy for disaster prevention.

​Accountable Critical Minerals Sector: As global energy transitions drive demand for critical minerals, the Philippines emphasizes responsible mineral development governed by strict environmental safeguards, transparency, and community-driven benefit-sharing.

​Elevation to ASEAN Security Architecture: Coinciding with the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship, the DENR urged member states to integrate climate resilience directly into ASEAN’s regional political and security framework.

​Inclusive Governance & Indigenous Knowledge: Effective climate governance requires embedding sound science, local community insights, and traditional indigenous knowledge into land-use, urban planning, and infrastructure development decisions.

​International Partnerships: The speech acknowledged long-standing bilateral cooperation—notably with partners like Germany—in driving climate finance, technology transfer, and joint environmental protection efforts across the region.

​”Environmental resilience and lasting peace share the same principle: we must act before vulnerability becomes crisis,” the speech concluded, calling for unified action across government, the private sector, civil society, and international allies.

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. (OGP) has allocated P768.43 million for the Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (FMRDP) of its Didipio Mine in Nueva Vizcaya, with P551.4 million already deposited in a trust fund as of 2026.

The listed company said the fund will continue to increase in line with the required annual provisioning schedule as it carries out rehabilitation work while the mine remains in operation.

“Responsible mining means planning for rehabilitation throughout the life of the mine and closure long before operations eventually conclude,” said lawyer Joan D. Adaci-Cattiling, President and General Manager for External Affairs and Social Performance.

Adaci-Cattiling added that “by progressively rehabilitating our operating areas and steadily building the rehabilitation fund while operations continue, we are ensuring the resources, systems and plans are in place to support a safe, responsible and sustainable transition beyond mining.”

Progressive rehabilitation during operations

The Didipio Mine operates within a 975-hectare approved mining permit area. Its actual operating footprint is about 340 hectares.

Of that area, 100 hectares are designated for progressive rehabilitation during the mine’s operating life. Company data show more than 55 hectares had been rehabilitated as of end-2025. The remaining areas will be rehabilitated in phases over the coming years.

At the end of operations, approximately 221 hectares are projected for final rehabilitation. Another 58 hectares, including the open pit and selected mine camp facilities, are being considered for potential post-mining community uses instead of conventional revegetation.

Based on consultations with host communities, proposed post-mining land uses include agriculture, forestry, a freshwater lake, and an enterprise tourism development area. The company said these proposals remain subject to technical assessment to determine safety, suitability and sustainability for specific areas of the mine site.

The approach reflects a shift in industry practice where rehabilitation and closure planning are integrated years before a mine ceases operations, rather than treated only as an end-of-life activity.

FMRDP updated every two years

The FMRDP serves as the blueprint for closure activities and financial provisioning. Under government requirements, the FMRDP is reviewed and updated every two years to account for rehabilitation progress, changes to the mine plan, new technical data, stakeholder input, and regulatory requirements.

The next review is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. The company said the plan will continue to be refined as closure designs are further developed and post-mining land-use studies become more detailed.

“We have been part of the Didipio community for 20 years, building enduring partnerships founded on mutual respect and shared progress,” Adaci-Cattiling said. “As our operations continue in the years to come, we are already investing in rehabilitation and closure planning to help ensure positive and sustainable outcomes for the environment and our host communities well into the future.”

About the operation

OGP operates the Didipio gold-copper mine in Luzon under a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement or FTAA. The company, with stock symbol “OGP,” is listed on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

According to the company, its commitment includes safely and responsibly maximizing free cash flow from the operation while delivering returns to shareholders and meeting environmental and social obligations tied to mining.

AHEAD of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose “Jing” Gambito pointed to one of the most important but least flashy reforms of this administration: the decision to “download” nationally funded projects directly to local government units (LGUs) for implementation.

It is a shift worth keeping and expanding.

For too long, infrastructure and social programs designed in Manila would arrive in the provinces with little local input and even less local accountability. When problems surfaced — delays, substandard work, or projects that existed only on paper — the blame was diffused across agencies hundreds of kilometers away. Residents had no clear person to ask.

The current arrangement changes that. Under it, budgets from national agencies are transferred to LGUs, and it is governors, mayors, and municipal engineers who manage the bidding, construction, and reporting.

As Gambito noted, this puts implementation where oversight is closest. Local officials are elected by the very people who will use the road, the hospital or clinic, or the irrigation canal. If a project is delayed or poorly done, there is no passing the buck. “Local officials are the first ones the public will hold responsible,” Gambito said. That direct line of accountability is not just political theory. It is the daily pressure of town halls, market conversations, and the next election.

The shift also addresses a chronic problem: “ghost projects.” When LGUs handle the funds and must answer to their constituents for results, the incentive to participate in fictitious initiatives drops. Credibility is on the line in the same community where leaders live. As the governor put it, when the LGU implements, it ensures the project “will genuinely benefit the people.”

This is not an argument for leaving LGUs to do everything alone. National agencies still have a vital role in setting standards, providing technical support, and auditing. But execution belongs where the need is felt first. Local governments know the terrain, the contractors, the weather patterns, and the community priorities better than any central office can.

Nueva Vizcaya’s experience illustrates the point. Gambito thanked the national government for its continued support to the province and expressed hope that the partnership continues in the remaining years of the administration. That partnership only works if both sides play to their strengths: the national government provides the resources and policy direction, LGUs deliver on the ground.

With two years left in this term, the challenge is to institutionalize the gains. That means faster budget releases to LGUs, clearer guidelines to prevent confusion, capacity-building for smaller municipalities, and transparent reporting so citizens can track every peso.

Decentralization is not new in Philippine law. What is new is the consistent practice of trusting LGUs with the money and the responsibility, and then letting voters judge the results.

The SONA will rightly focus on big numbers — growth, debt, energy, food. But governance is also measured in smaller units: a finished barangay road, a functioning health center, a dam that actually irrigates.

By putting implementation in the hands of elected local leaders, the administration has brought government closer to the people it serves. That is a shift worth defending, and worth making permanent. (LCD)

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya — Six scholars supported by FCF Minerals Corporation here have completed their college degrees, with the company citing their achievement as a milestone for its education and community development programs.

The graduates include one scholar under the company’s Direct Mining and Technical Group (DMTG), scholarship program and five scholars from Barangay Runruno under the Social Development and Management Program, or SDMP.

Jay Bennett Pedro of Adamson University earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology. She received her diploma on July 9, 2026 during commencement exercises held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Manila.

Also graduating were five SDMP scholars from Nueva Vizcaya State University, Bayombong Campus: Sydney Guillaao with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, graduating Cum Laude; Francis Banih, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Yvone Mae Escaño, Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management; Jessa Mae Nginhayan, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Sebrelyn Omas, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.

Company presence at graduation

Members of the DMTG Program Management Committee witnessed the graduation ceremonies. Also present were FCF Community Relations Office Manager Agnes Rosales and DMTG Scholarship Coordinator Benilyn Calilit.

In a statement, FCF Minerals Corporation recognized the graduates for their hard work and perseverance. Lorne Harvey, FCF General Manager for Operations, said  “their accomplishments bring pride to the FCF Minerals Corporation family and serve as inspiration to other students in host and neighboring communities.”

Scholarship programs

The DMTG scholarship supports students pursuing degrees related to mining, geology, and other technical fields. The SDMP scholarship is part of FCF’s commitments to Barangay Runruno, where the company operates the Runruno gold-molybdenum project.

Under SDMP, FCF provides educational assistance to qualified residents of host communities as part of its social development initiatives. The program covers tuition and other school expenses to help students complete tertiary education.

Harvey said the scholarships aim to develop local human resources and provide graduates with opportunities to contribute to their communities and chosen professions.

FCF Minerals Corporation expressed optimism that the new graduates will pursue careers that will benefit both the industry and their hometowns.

“Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have brought pride and inspiration to the entire FCF Minerals Corporation family. We are proud of your achievements and excited to see the bright future ahead of you,” Harvey said.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC), the government’s mining arm, has expressed its support for and adoption of “Big Brother–Small Brother” initiative, a partnership framework that encourages cooperation between large-scale mining operators and small-scale miners.

PMDC President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Job Adrian M. Ambrosio said the Corporation is adopting the approach in recognition of the support of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for collaborative programs that promote the formalization of small-scale mining, responsible mineral development, improved mine safety, environmental compliance, and inclusive economic growth.

Under the model, established and technically capable mining operators may assist small-scale miners in transitioning toward legal, properly regulated, and environmentally responsible operations. Assistance may include technical guidance, mine planning, safety systems, environmental management, mineral processing, regulatory compliance, and access to legitimate markets.

The proposal seeks to demonstrate that responsible mining can create lasting economic opportunities while significantly improving worker safety, environmental stewardship, and community welfare in mining host communities.

For decades, a significant portion of the country’s small-scale mining sector has operated outside the formal regulatory system. Illegal and unregulated mining activities often expose workers to hazardous underground conditions where accidents and fatalities remain a serious concern.

The unregulated use of mercury and cyanide may also contribute to the contamination of rivers and waterways, while the absence of proper engineering, mine planning, waste management, and erosion-control measures increases the risks of landslides, pollution, and environmental degradation.

Illegal mining operations have likewise been associated with child labor, inadequate social protection, and economic inequities, where a limited number of individuals receive substantial profits while many miners continue to work under dangerous conditions and earn only modest incomes.

Recognizing these longstanding challenges, Ambrosio said enforcement must be accompanied by practical and viable legal alternatives that encourage small-scale miners to enter the formal economy and become part of a safer, more productive, and properly regulated mining industry.

“The MGB has recognized that cooperation between large-scale mining companies and small-scale miners can provide a practical pathway toward formalization. PMDC supports this direction and intends to adopt the Big Brother–Small Brother approach in appropriate PMDC mining areas,” Ambrosio said.

Ambrosio noted that the partnership approach draws from programs such as the Big Brother–Small Brother initiative implemented by Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI), a subsidiary of Apex Mining Co., Inc., which demonstrates how established mining operators can help small-scale miners improve safety, compliance, environmental management, livelihood generation, and operational sustainability.

PMDC will work closely with the MGB, local government units, indigenous cultural communities, small-scale mining associations, partner operators, and other concerned government agencies to determine how the model may be responsibly implemented in suitable PMDC projects and mineral areas.

Ambrosio said the future of Philippine mining should be inclusive—one where mineral development benefits small-scale miners and their families, host communities, local governments, and the national economy.

“Responsible mining must create opportunity, not exclusion. By working with the MGB and our mining communities, we can help transform informal mining into a safer, legal, environmentally responsible, and sustainable industry that provides long-term livelihoods for Filipino miners,” Ambrosio said.

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The leadership of the Balatoc Kalinga Tribe Inc. (BKTI) has strongly denounced recent statements circulating in the media opposing the development of the Batong Buhay mining project, describing them as false, misleading, and unrepresentative of the legitimate position of the Balatoc Tribe.

Speaking on behalf of the Balatoc tribe, Victor Gumisa emphasized that the statements being attributed to the Balatoc community do not represent the views of the recognized Indigenous People’s organization (IPO), the Council of Elders, nor the overwhelming majority of the Balatoc, Pasil people in Kalinga.

“The public deserves to know the truth. These statements are not supported by the recognized leadership of the Balatoc Tribe. They are false, misleading, and intended to create confusion regarding the legitimate aspirations of our people,” Gumisa said.

BKTI Holds the Lawful Mandate

Gumisa explained that the Balatoc Tribe has already exercised its priority rights over its ancestral domain, as recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in 2008.

As the duly recognized representative of the Balatoc Tribe, BKTI was subsequently granted the Certificate of Precondition (CP) covering the exploration area, giving it the authority and responsibility to determine the development of the mineral resources within Exploration Permit Application (EXPA) No. 79.

“The authority to decide the future development of our ancestral domain rests with BKTI and the recognized leadership of the Balatoc Tribe—not with individuals pursuing their own personal interests,” Gumisa stressed.

Strong Community Support for Responsible Mining

According to Gumisa, the President and Board of Directors of BKTI, together with the majority of tribal elders, have expressed their full support for the responsible development of the Batong Buhay Mine.

BKTI has formally nominated Metals Exploration as its preferred mining partner to develop the project under a partnership model designed to ensure that Indigenous Peoples become genuine stakeholders in the project.

Under the proposed Joint Venture arrangement, the Balatoc tribe will receive a 20-percent equity stake in the operating company and representation on its Board of Directors.

“This is a pioneering model in the Philippine mining industry. For the first time, an Indigenous community will become a true equity partner in a major mining operation rather than simply receiving royalties. We believe this can become the benchmark for future responsible mining developments on ancestral lands.”

Development Benefits for the Entire Community

FEMC (Faratuk Exploration & Mining Company) has already presented a draft Memorandum of Agreement to the community outlining substantial development commitments, including:

-Construction of the long-awaited ₱100-million access road to Balatoc;

-Improved healthcare facilities and medical services;

-Scholarship programs for local students;

-Employment and livelihood opportunities;

-Infrastructure development;

-Community development and other long-term social benefits.

“For decades our people have waited for meaningful development. This partnership offers an opportunity to improve the lives of future generations while ensuring that our ancestral domain remains under Indigenous ownership and participation,” Gumisa said.

Gumisa did not sign any MOA or JOA yet until the Balatoc tribe, and PMDC will reach acceptable agreement.  What the people and government will decide, that is what I support. I did not sign any agreement without consulting my community and presenting documents to Balatoc lawyers and professionals, they need to be involved. The June 25 meeting at Balatoc was initial presentation of MOA.

Questions Raised Over Illegal Mining Operations

Gumisa also expressed concern that opposition to the project appears to be driven by vested interests seeking to preserve existing illegal mining activities in the area.

“If these efforts succeed in preventing the responsible development of Batong Buhay, it will not be the ordinary people of Balatoc who benefit. Instead, poverty will continue while only a few individuals involved in illegal operations profit from our natural resources.”

Improper small scale mining caused the death of some of our tribes’ members.  Responsible small scale mining will continue with technical assistance of FEMC. We will prioritize CADT certificate of ancestral domain titling processing and ADSDPP ancestral domain sustainable development plan of our Tribe.

A Project of National Importance

Gumisa emphasized that the proposed Batong Buhay project represents far more than a local mining venture. It is expected to contribute to the country’s critical minerals development strategy while delivering lasting benefits to Indigenous communities.

“The choice before us is clear. We can continue with unregulated and illegal activities that benefit only a few, or we can pursue a transparent, legally compliant, community-led mining project that creates jobs, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and lasting prosperity for our people.”