Residents protest mining in Dupax del Norte amid fears for land and livelihoods

Tensions flared once again in Brgy. Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, as residents clashed with authorities and staff from Woggle Corporation, a mining firm currently conducting exploration activities in the area.

The residents fear that mining will cause irreversible damage to their environment, crops, and water supply.

According to a report on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," residents blocked roads during the protest and set up barricades to stop mining exploration.

The confrontation turned physical when police attempted to remove the barricades. One protester was taken into custody, and some residents fainted amid the chaos. Seven people were arrested, six of whom were women.

Gregorio, one of the protesters, said, "Talagang ninenerbiyos kami sa takot. Takot namin dahil 'yung nakahila na sila, umahon na naman doon sa taas."

["We were so nervous and scared. We were terrified because even though they had already been pulled down, they managed to get back up there again."]

Janele, another farmer, recounted how the situation escalated.

"Alam ko, i-implement daw 'yung order ng korte na, preliminary injunction. Hindi ko rin alam 'yun. Nandu'n lang kami. Nakaupo. Hinatak 'yung kamay namin. Hinatak nila 'yung aking paa. Nahuhubaran na yata ako," she said.

["What I know is they were going to implement a court order—a preliminary injunction. I didn't really understand that. We were just there, sitting down. They grabbed our hands. They pulled at my feet. I felt like my clothes were being ripped off."]

Annaliza, who was also arrested, shared her harrowing experience.

"Parang nasakal po talaga ako. Tatayo na sana ako nu'n, e may isa pong tumulak doon sa mga pulis, 'yun po nagrambulan na po. Naapak-apakan na po kami," she said.

["I felt like I was literally being strangled. I was about to stand up when someone pushed one of the police officers, and that's when the scuffle broke out. We ended up being trampled on."]

Residents also fear that mining will severely affect their farmland and water sources.

"Ito 'yung ilog nila na noon malinis ang tubig, may amoy na ngayon. Hindi na mainom. Makati na rin sa balat," Janele added.

"Ang kinakatakutan namin ay 'yung kung mawawalan ng tubig, e 'di magiging dry na 'yung kwan namin, rice fields. At puwede rin matatabunan 'yung mga bahay kasi 'pag bumabagyo," Eddie said.

["This used to be a river where the water was clean; now, it has a smell. It's no longer drinkable. It also makes your skin itchy. What we fear is that if the water disappears, our rice fields will go dry. And our houses could also end up buried when a storm hits."]

The residents claim they were not properly consulted before mining exploration began.

One said, "Wala pong nangyaring genuine consultation. Kasi nga po, ang ginawa nila, dito mismo sa purok na ito, nagkaroon ng presentation. Pero nu'ng kakain na po sila, kumuha sila ng listahan. Pero 'yun na 'yung ginamit nila."

["No genuine consultation ever took place. What they did was, right here in this very district, they held a presentation. But when it was time to eat, they had people sign a list. And that was the list they ended up using as proof."]

Farmers also reported early signs of damage to their crops.

One said, "Ito na, nanilaw na, hindi niya na lang inani kasi nasira na eh."

Another explained, "Pagka nagdilaw na ito, Ma'am, wala na. Wala na, at saka puro, ano na, tinubuan na ng malalaki nang mga damo. May uod na. Nabulok na. Ayan ang epekto niyan. Hindi na mapapakinabangan."

["Our crops have already turned yellow. Once it turns yellow like this, it's over. It's gone, and now it's completely overgrown with tall weeds. There are worms now. It has rotted. That is the impact of this. It can't be used for anything anymore."]

Tatay Gregorio stressed why they continue to fight: "Sabi ko du'n sa mga kasama ko, 'Huwag tayong susuko. Ilaban natin itong kalikasan dito sa atin. Saan tayo pupunta kung minahin 'to? Paano na tayo? 'yung mga anak natin? Nasaan ang pamana natin sa kanila kung talagang sisirain yang kabundukan?'"

["I told my companions, 'Let's not give up. Let's fight for our environment here. Where will we go if this is mined? What will happen to us—to our children? What inheritance will we leave them if these mountains are truly destroyed?"]

Janele and Annaliza echoed the same fears for their families' future.

"'Yung takot ko po eh kung paano po mapag-aral ang mga anak ko. Mawawala ang hanapbuhay namin," Annaliza said.

["My fear is how I will be able to send my children to school. Our livelihood will be gone."]

Despite the protests, the mining company holds an exploration permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and authorities insist the operations are legal.

Engr. Marion Ancheta of the MGB explained, "Natural naman 'yan sa mga community na magkakaroon sila ng reaction. Some other people will—was already informed, some other not really properly informed."

["It's only natural for communities to have a reaction like that. Some people were already informed, while others weren't really properly informed."]

"Kung complied naman lahat 'yun sa requirements, then definitely the permit will be issued. Basta satisfied na ang government and the MGB-DENR as far as to the compliance to the permit application, definitely the issuance of the permit will be given."

["If all the requirements are complied with, then the permit will definitely be issued. As long as the government and the MGB-DENR are satisfied with the compliance regarding the permit application, the issuance of the permit will definitely be granted."]

The MGB also said only specific areas will be affected and that rehabilitation programs are in place.

However, residents remain skeptical, citing past environmental disasters, including the 2020 landslide in Brgy. Runruno that killed several people.

For now, residents continue to protest, determined to protect their land, water, and livelihoods from potential mining damage. Their message remains firm: they will not give up without a fight. —JCB, GMA Integrated News