The Valley Journal

ALARMING SURGE IN MINING APPLICATIONS IN NUEVA VIZCAYA RAISES RED FLAGS

7Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

ALARMING SURGE IN MINING APPLICATIONS IN NUEVA VIZCAYA RAISES RED FLAGS

Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Timothy Joseph Cayton. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 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. ...

Push for Tribal Center highlights needs of 18 IP groups in Nueva Vizcaya

7Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

Push for Tribal Center highlights needs of 18 IP groups in Nueva Vizcaya

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...

Mining firm moves to stop auction of 40% stake in Kalinga copper-gold project

4Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

Mining firm moves to stop auction of 40% stake in Kalinga copper-gold project

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 ...

DENR urges ASEAN to treat climate resilience as a security priority

24Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation, News

DENR urges ASEAN to treat climate resilience as a security priority

PHILIPPINES FRAMEWORK REFORMS CLIMATE CHANGE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE TO CORE NATIONAL & REGIONAL SECURITY PRIORITY DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 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 & Polic...

OceanaGold sets aside P768.43-M for Didipio Mine rehabilitation

3Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

OceanaGold sets aside P768.43-M for Didipio Mine rehabilitation

Company advances long-term rehabilitation and post-mining preparation years ahead of scheduled closure Didipio Mine’s current Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan is subject to review by local stakeholders and regulators every two years. IMAGE FROM OGP 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 reha...

FCF Minerals scholars graduate, lauded for academic success

14Jul

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

FCF Minerals scholars graduate, lauded for academic success

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...

Exploration target to extend Runruno Mine operation in NVizcaya

21Feb

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

Exploration target to extend Runruno Mine operation in NVizcaya

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—FCF Minerals Corporation could after all continue its operation after its expected closure in 2027 with the identification of an exploration target near its Runruno Mine here. According to the London-based Metals Exploration (MTL), a mineral resources exploration and development company that owns 100 percent of the FCF Minerals-operated Runruno Gold Project, the exploration target is located in the municipality of Dupax del Norte in this province. “The exploration target could potentially extend ore processing operations at Runruno after ore feed from the Runruno Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) tenement is exhausted,” MTL said. Photo shows Metals Exploration-FCF Minerals Corporation’s Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Proj...

OceanaGold turns over P9-M FMR projects in NVizcaya, Quirino

7Feb

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino

OceanaGold turns over P9-M FMR projects in NVizcaya, Quirino

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO OCEANGOLD Philippines (OPG) recently turned over three more farm-to-market (FMR) projects worth P9 million to villagers in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces in simple ceremonies. “For hundreds of villagers in these two provinces, a simple road means more than just a path. It is a bridge to opportunity, security and progress,” said Joan Adaci-Cattiling, OGP president and general manager for external affairs and social performance. OceanaGold Philippines (OPG) turns over three more farm-to-market projects worth P9 million to villagers in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces in simple ceremonies. Funded through OGP’s Community Development Fund, these include those constructed at Barangay Villa Aurora, Diadi, in Nueva Vizcaya, a 223.5-meter road reinforced with...

Didipio Mine capacitates coffee farmers in Kasibu town

7Dec

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

Didipio Mine capacitates coffee farmers in Kasibu town

Members of Kasibu Coffee Growers Association, Inc. (KCGAI) receiving P2.5 million financial assistance also undergo capacity building seminar on Coffee Post-Harvest Operations for the 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 project under the Didipio Mine’s corporate social responsibility program aimed at contributing to the association’s community, financial and organizational sustainability. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya: The Didipio Mine here is helping coffee farmers boost the industry by extending financial assistance and capacitating particularly the farmer-members of a coffee growers cooperative here. Didipio Mine president and general manager for external affairs and social performance Joan Adaci-Cattiling said the mine partnered with the Department o...

DTI Region 2, Cuaresma reaffirm support for MSME program in NVizcaya

27Nov

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

News, Nueva Vizcaya

DTI Region 2, Cuaresma reaffirm support for MSME program in NVizcaya

REPRESENTATIVE Luisa Lloren Cuaresma of the Lone Congressional District of Nueva Vizcaya expressed enthusiasm underscoring her commitment to supporting the Department of Trade and Industry in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) in its effort to create more opportunities to foster sustainable growth and development for the province of Nueva Vizcaya. DTI PHOTO The DTI Region 2 led by Regional Director Ma. Sofia Narag and DTI Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Director Michael Paggabao, paid a courtesy visit to Cuaresma on November 24, 2024 on the sidelines of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Meeting in the House of Representatives, to discuss areas for collaboration. Paggabao said the meeting served as a platform to reaffirm DTI’s commitment to collaborating closely with the congresswoman’s office in...