Local gov’t, residents of Brooke’s Point call on DENR to stop operations of mining firm

February 24, 2023 | 4:20pm

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Brooke’s Point, Palawan and its residents have called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to issue a cease and desist order against Ipilan Nickel Mining Corporation for continuing its mining operations despite failing to renew its permit for 2023.  

This comes after Brooke’s Points residents — including indigenous people and farmers — formed a human barricade on February 21 to block INC’s trucks transporting minerals and permanently stop its mining operations, which they say have permanently damaged their land and livelihood.

Municipal Mayor Cesareo Benedito, Jr. said that INC has been “blatantly disrespecting the law by ignoring the order of the Office of the Mayor to stop operations.”

At a press conference with representatives from farmers and indigenous groups, Benedito said that the mining firm did not renew its permit despite being given a “grace period” of until the end of January to do so by the municipal governmen