Romblon: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) clarified on Thursday that no mining or exploration activities are currently taking place near Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park, noting that a cease and desist order (CDO) remains in effect.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mines and Geosciences Bureau - MIMAROPA Regional Director Felizardo Gacad Jr. stated that the agency's monitoring has detected no mining activity in the area covered by Altai Philippines Mining Corp. "First of all, wala naman mining operation doon (there is no mining operation there) because there is an existing cease and desist order that was issued sometime in 2023," Gacad explained.
He further elaborated that the CDO explicitly prohibits movement in the area. "If there are indeed reports, then that should have reached us, and our field offices are there to determine that. So as far as we know, there really is no ground movement there," he added.
Altai's Mineral Production Sharing Agreement, which was issued in 2009, allowed the company to undertake exploration during its designated period. However, this period expired in 2024, and their request for an extension was denied by the DENR. The company has since appealed the decision to the Office of the President, but the appeal remains pending.
Gacad noted that consultations with local officials and communities do not grant Altai permission to conduct exploration activities. In July, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando initially endorsed Altai's mining project. Nevertheless, following local opposition, the council withdrew the endorsement in August.
He also clarified that the proposed mining area is outside Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park. Should the project progress to the Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility stage, the company would need to secure additional permits, including an Environmental Compliance Certificate and an environmental impact assessment, to evaluate the project's potential environmental effects.
Mt. Guiting-Guiting was declared a protected natural park in 1996, covering approximately 15,265 hectares on Sibuyan Island, Romblon, under Proclamation No. 746.
