Baguio city: The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has directed Yamang Mineral Mining to halt its operations in Licuan Baay, Abra, until it secures the consent of the affected indigenous peoples (IPs) and complies with legal procedures.
According to Philippines News Agency, NCIP-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) director Roland Calde emphasized that the company had failed to follow due process despite being reminded of the necessary requirements. "We wrote to them about the procedures and asked them to reply but they did not comply. So, we ordered a stoppage of their activities that prompted them to apply for a permit," Calde stated during the Regional Development Council (RDC) full council meeting in Baguio City.
Calde highlighted the importance of obtaining free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from IP communities for any project under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). The FPIC process begins with an NCIP field-based investigation to identify the affected areas, communities, and leaders, followed by assemblies to inform IPs of their rights.
Subsequent consultations allow companies to present their projects, negotiate terms, and await the community's decision, which could be to reject, approve with conditions, or proceed to formal negotiations. Calde noted that there is no fixed timeline for this process, as it depends on the parties, the affected communities, and the scope of the project.
The Diocese of Bangued previously expressed objections to the company's activities, which included soil and rock sampling, aerial mapping, and the establishment of a field office in Licuan Baay, Lacub, and Malibcong, all conducted without FPIC. In an open letter, the Diocese raised concerns over the potential impact on the Malanas and Baay rivers, crucial water sources across Abra province.
In addition, the Masadiit tribe, an Itneg sub-tribe in Lacub, Malibcong, and Sallapadan, has formally rejected Yamang Mineral's exploration project, as stated in a press release sent to the Philippine News Agency.
