After extensive public consultations regarding the proposed mineral reserve area covering 1343.76 hectares across five barangays in Mogpog, the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC) strongly expressed their opposition. MACEC, a Civil Society Organization (CSO), vehemently opposed the declaration of the five Mogpog barangays as a Mineral Reserve Area.
In their position paper, MACEC urged for the province to be declared a mining-free zone and delisted from the mining reservation area.
The CSO is advocating for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to lead the rehabilitation of the mine-affected areas in Mogpog, as well as in other towns. MACEC believes that rehabilitation, rather than further mining, is the key to healing and restoring the province to pristine conditions, ensuring a safe and comfortable life for the island's residents.
Dr. Randy Nobleza, the Island Innovation Marinduque ambassador, emphasized the island's history of a man-made catastrophe and the subsequent moratorium secured 28 years ago.
He highlighted the current global climate emergency and expressed the hope for Marinduque to be delisted from the mineral reservation area and declared mining-free. Dr. Nobleza also called for an environment code recognizing the rights of nature, paving the way for sustainable blue and orange economies.
Elizabeth Manggol, MACEC's Executive Secretary, emphasized that the community vividly remembers the Maguila-guila Siltation Dam disaster caused by Marcopper, resulting in floods, property and livelihood losses, and the tragic deaths of two children.
Despite the passage of thirty years, the mining company has not accepted responsibility for the destruction, blaming nature instead and providing inadequate compensation.
Manggol highlighted the irreversible damage to the Mogpog River, declared dead due to the lack of rehabilitation.
She stressed that justice has eluded the affected residents, and Marcopper has not been held accountable for the damages it caused. Manggol concluded that Marinduque's carrying capacity has been compromised by previous mining activities, making it unsuitable for further mining.
MACEC pointed out that not only local resolutions but also the Mimaropa Regional Development Council (RDC) has issued a resolution “favorably endorsing the initiative to declare the province of Marinduque as a mining-free zone.”
Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, fully supports MACEC's stance, urging the national government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to heed the residents' pleas and declare Marinduque a mining-free zone.
