Residents protest against mining activities on Homonhon Island

Residents of Homonhon Island, located in the province of Eastern Samar, expressed their concern and worries that their island may be in danger of being erased from the map as mining activities in the mineral-rich land continue.

According to the latest episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the island is slowly turning into a sea of mud, while the residents are contracting illnesses too. Their livelihood has also been greatly affected.

To investigate the current situation, Jessica Soho traveled all the way to Homonhon Island.

“Dito sa amin, ang kalamansi makatas, at saka kung halimbawang ganito, bumubunga ito ng mga nasa 150 kilos pataas,” Lito Amoroto, the calamansi farmer who posted his concerns, said.

[“Calamansi in our place is very juicy. Usually, during the harvest season, we have about 150 kilograms or more.”]

Lito said that calamansi has long been his source of income, as it has been for many other residents in the area.

“Kaya kami, parang natatakot. Kapag nakapasok ang mina dito, kahit malayo pa iyong alikabok, umaabot dito. Halimbawa, iyong mga bulaklak, kapag tinaktakan ‘yan ng alikabok, hindi nabubuhay,” he said.

[“We’re scared to think of what might happen to our livelihood if they start mining closer to this area. Right now, even though the dust comes from afar, it reaches our plants here. Once our flowers get covered in dust, they don’t survive.”]

Ana Ramboy, another calamansi farmer, said, “Malaki talaga ang epekto tapos ‘yung mga hanapbuhay namin mawawala.”

[“Mining has a huge effect on us. We stand to lose our livelihoods.”]

She hopes that the mining activities will be put to an end soon.

Bitaugan Kagawad Jonito Caberio was also concerned about how a mining permit was secured.

“Wala namang dumaan sa amin na endorso ng barangay Bitaugan. Kasi mayroon kaming resolution na ayaw namin ng mina. Pinarating na rin namin sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources, nandu’n na. May mga sinubmit na kaming mga resolution,” he said. “Kaya nilalaban namin ‘yan kasi yung mga bata ‘yun ang susundan sa amin. Simula pa ng April 3, halos wala kaming tulugan dahil dito. Kasi gusto namin ito makarating sa DENR, national, MGB na tulungan kami kasi dito kami nabubuhay.”

[“There is no mining activity endorsed by Brgy. Bitaugan. We have resolutions submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Since April 3, none of us have been able to sleep well because we want the concerned agencies to hear our plea and to help us because our livelihood is at stake.”]

He said that they haven’t received any response from the government.

“Alam namin mga mahihirap lang kami, pero ilalaban namin ito,” he said.

[“We may lack resources but we still have rights and we will fight for them.”]

According to the report, large-scale mining operations on the island started in 1983, and in the following years, more permits were granted, and four mining companies are now present on the island.

Barangay officials and residents said that they repeatedly raised their concerns with those in government.

However, the mining area just continued to widen.

“‘Yung ginagawa ng mining dito sa amin hindi na talaga makatarungan. Katulad nito na lumampas na sila sa kanilang area. Kami kasi neighboring,” Brgy. Habag Kagawad Jessica said. “Ang alam ko po ma’am, doon lang po sila sa may mga flaglet na itinayo doon,” she added.

[“What they’re doing to our area is not fair. They’ve already overstepped their area. From what I know, they should have only been mining until the part where the flaglets are.”]

Principal Richie also said that since the mining activities started, the number of students has been affected by the noise and dust, which are making the children sick.

“May sinusuot kaming face mask kapag sobrang dami na ng alikabok.” Grade 11 student Rachel said. 

[“When dust from the mining activities becomes too thick, we have to wear a face mask.”]

While there are complaints from some of the residents, others are grateful that mining on the island provides them with jobs.

“Gusto ko ‘yung mining kasi nakapagtrabaho ako sa minahan at nakapagtapos ng dalawang anak at propesyonal na rin,” a resident shared. 

[“The mining activities in the area created job opportunities for me. Thanks to this, I was able to send my kids to school, and now they’re professionals too.”]

According to data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, two of the four companies got 8.22 million metric tons of nickel ore, which is worth Php 172.84 million in taxes.

But aside from the health and livelihood effects of the activities, residents are also having a hard time getting clean water.

There is also no electricity on the entire island. They only rely on a generator, which only works from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Farmers also noticed the lowering amount of fish they catch in the area.

The residents are worried that the companies’ permits are valid for a long period of time, counting decades.

Even the Diocese of Borongan showed support to the residents who were against the mining activities.

“For 41 years, since 1983, 41 years na minimina ang Homonhon, wala po kaming nakikita na significant na mga changes, mahirap pa rin ang mga tao, pangit pa rin ang kalsada, hindi pa rin 24 hours ‘yung kuryente. Tapos, naapektuhan ‘yung sources ng tubig. Tapos, ‘yung pinaka-alarming pa kasi, ‘yung mga pamilya nagkakawatak-watak, dahil may pro-may anti mining sa families” Rev. Fr. James B. Abella said.

[“Since mining started in the area 41 years ago, in 1983, there hasn’t been any significant change. People are still poor, roads are still not passable, and we still don’t have access to electricity for 24 hours. Now, even our water sources are affected. Most alarming of all, families are being torn apart because of opposing views when it comes to mining.”]

Environmental rights groups have also been formed in the hopes that their advocacies may be heard.

“Isa ‘yun sa kinukuwestiyon namin sa government. Maraming complaints ang pinarating na sa mga nararanasang negative environmental feedback ng mining operations. Pero patuloy silang nagbibigay ng permit,” Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders Carmi Macapagao said.

[“Numerous complaints have been raised with the government regarding the adverse impacts of mining operations, yet permits continue to be issued.”]

Mayor Annaliza Kwan meanwhile explained the policies and contracts involving the mining companies.

“Gumawa ako ng sulat sa Regional Director ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and sinulatan ko rin ‘yung mining company. Sabi ko, doon sa MPSA, wala naman pong nakalagay doon na Barangay Bitaugan,” she said 

[“I wrote a letter to the Regional Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau including the mining company. I said that in the MPSA, there’s nothing written about [mining in] Barangay Bitaugan.”]

“Dalawang barangays lang po ang nakalagay. Pati sa ECC. Barangay Kasuguran, and barangay Kanawayon.  Ang sabi naman niya, it is within the tenement area. And I said, even if it is within the tenement area, wala namang social acceptability sa mga tao. Sinabi ko talaga that I do not want any mining operation in barangay Bitaugan because I want to devote this area for agricultural and agro-industrial development. I will consult my lawyer at saka tatanungin ko ang DENR kung anong dapat gawin kasi ang regulation, supervision, monitoring dapat sa kanila.” she added 

[“Only two barangays, Barangay Kasuguran and Barangay Kanawayon, are covered in the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), even in the ECC. But they’re saying that it is within the tenement area. But I told them that even if that is the case, we have to consider the people in the area. I told them that I do not want any mining operation in Barangay Bitaugan because I want to devote this area for agricultural and agro-industrial development. I will consult with my lawyer and discuss with DENR what actions should be taken, as regulation, supervision, and monitoring fall under their jurisdiction.”]

On Friday, Bitaugan officials received a message from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources saying the mining company made a temporary voluntary exit from the area.

Meanwhile, Mt. Sinai Mining Exploration, another one of the companies, insisted that they had already finished their operation on the island in 2013 after Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The KMJS team reached out to other mining companies. Nickelace, Inc., claimed that they secured necessary permits before operating while another mining company did not respond to our invitation for an interview.

Following the protests of the residents, the officials of Barangay Bitaugan received a copy of a letter from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau regarding the decision of Emir Mineral Resources Corporation. 

The mining corporation said that they will temporarily suspend their operations in Barangay Bitaugan. They are also being subject to an investigation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region VIII, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office.

—JCB, GMA Integrated News