Homonhon experience as reason
TACLOBAN CITY – Citing fears of possible severe destruction to environment, the diocese of Borongan is calling on local officials and residents to reject proposed mining activities across thousands of hectares in Eastern Samar.
The concern was sparked by a June 4 notice from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), announcing the opening of applications for industrial sand and gravel permits in the municipalities of Hernani and Gen. Macarthur, and in Borongan City.
The proposed mining areas cover 3,784.98 hectares in Hernani and Gen. Macarthur and 2,759.79 hectares in Borongan City.
Fr. James Abella, director of the Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace of the Diocese of Borongan, condemned the move and called for public resistance.
He pointed to the existing environmental degradation caused by mining on Homonhon and Manicani islands—both in Guiuan town—as cautionary examples.
“Our fear is that we will see similar destruction as in Homonhon and Manicani islands, where mining activities have severely damaged the environment,” Fr. Abella said in an online interview on Sunday, June 8.
“I find this very alarming. I pray and appeal to the people and officials of these towns and our province to stand firm and refuse to allow such devastating environmental destruction to take place,” he added in a separate social media post.
Homonhon Island currently hosts four nickel and chromite mining companies: Min-Met Resources, Verum Terra Geosciences Inc., TelcIron Resources Inc., and Emirs Mineral Resources, while Hinatuan Mining Corp. operates on Manicani Island.
Fr. Abella also noted his personal ties to the affected towns—he hails from Hernani, his brother resides in Gen. Macarthur, and he is currently assigned to the diocesan office in Borongan City.
He said five barangays in Borongan—Calico-an, Campesao, San Gabriel, San Jose, and Siha—have passed a joint resolution opposing the proposed mining due to concerns over the Loom River, a major local water source.
“Mining operations could disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem, harm our water resources, and jeopardize the livelihoods of our residents,” the resolution stated.
In response to the public outcry, MGB Regional Director Glenn Noble clarified that the June 4 notice does not authorize immediate mining.
“The notice as we have is a notice denying an existing mining application and opening the area for new mining applications, not opening an area for mining operations,” Noble said in a text message.
“These are two different things. The notice that we have right now is part of the due process after denying a mining application over a certain area. After denial of an existing mining application, a notice is provided informing the public that a certain mining application has been denied and that the area covered by said mining application is now open for new mining applications,” he added.
Noble emphasized that any new application must still undergo standard evaluation and comply with mandatory regulatory requirements. The public has 15 days from the date of posting to submit new applications.
JOEY A. GABIETA
