Indigenous Filipinos fight to protect biodiverse mountains from mining

NARRA, Philippines — At the foothills of the Victoria-Anepahan Mountains in the Philippines’ Palawan province, the Indigenous Tagbanua have lived with the rhythms of nature for generations. They rely on the lush landscape for everything they need, from food and water to nontimber products. But their forest and way of life are under threat as mining companies covet the mountains for their nickel and other mineral resources, which are highly sought after for the global transition to renewable energy.

In the southern Palawan municipality of Narra, eight mining exploration permit applications are currently listed as “under process” by the country’s mining authorities. Collectively, these applications, all of which overlap with the Victoria-Anepahan Mountains, cover 16,619 hectares (41,066 acres). Permits for another 46,847 more hectares (115,761 acres) have also been applied for in neighboring municipalities that overlap with the range.

Despite being among the Philippines’ poorest groups, the Tagbanua are standing firm against the enticing promises of “development and progress” being promoted by the mining companies.

“The Victoria-Anepahan is of utmost importance to us,” Tagbanua chieftain Ruben Basio told Mongabay in February, sitting beside their tribal hall surrounded by trees. “The Victoria-Anepahan has been cherished ever since the time of our ancestors. And until now, as descendants following in their footsteps, we remain committed to its conservation, ensuring it remains unharmed by anyone.”

The mountain range covers 164,789 hectares (407,202 acres), straddling 31 villages in Puerto Princesa, the Palawan capital, and the southern provincial municipalities of Aborlan, Narra and Quezon. Ancestral domains, land recognized under Philippine law as belonging to Indigenous peoples, make up 136,007 hectares (336,081 acres), or 83% of the entire range.

There are more than 100 Indigenous households under Basio’s care in the Narra hamlet, or sitio, of Mariwara. When Mongabay visited his community, Basio, in his 60s, was carrying a load of bagtik (almaciga resin) on his back. The day before, he’d visited his swidden farm to prepare it for rice planting. Meanwhile, his neighbors were busy thinning rattan strips in the shade of a tree, while their barefoot children chuckled as they played nearby. Besides these nontimber forest resources, they also gather and sell honey at the local market to support their families.

“We continue to care for [the mountain range]. We vehemently oppose any threat to its integrity, especially from activities such as mining,” Basio said.

The Tagbanua people’s concerns extend beyond their own welfare; they also worry about the downstream farming communities that play a crucial role in making this town, with around 87,000 residents, the rice bowl of Palawan. With the impending exploration receiving backing from the pro-extractive national government, the Tagbanua have joined farmers, women’s organizations, scientists and other community members in voicing their opposition to a project they say threatens their lives and livelihoods.

Favorable policy

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has promoted “responsible mining” as a crucial component of an economic plan geared toward green technology and renewable energy development. To enable post-pandemic economic recovery, the Marcos’s finance secretary said the administration wants to simplify the country’s mining tax regime to make it more competitive with other countries and attract foreign investors.

The Philippines is the world’s second-largest nickel supplier, following Indonesia. In the first three quarters of 2023, the country’s nickel direct shipping ore output reached 28.9 million dry metric tons, valued at 53.54 billion pesos ($952 million), marking increases of 24.1% and 13.6% respectively from the same period in 2022. Its primary export market is China, where nickel is in high demand in the stainless steel and electric vehicle sectors, both experiencing rapid growth due to the global clean energy transition in response to the climate crisis.

But the Philippines’ continued reliance on mining perpetuates ongoing conflicts over land and the environment. This is especially pronounced in Palawan and other provinces abundant in minerals, where Indigenous territories and crucial biodiversity areas often intersect, leading to tensions and disputes.

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