Palawan experiences heavy floods; residents blame large-scale mining

The town of Brooke's Point in Southern Palawan has been experiencing heavy flooding this year due to strong rains.

This is one of the many issues in their town, brought by the cutting of thousands of trees and the destruction of their mountains. Photos of these went viral in 2017, but the situation did not change.

To investigate the current situation, Jessica Soho traveled all the way to Brooke's Point in Southern Palawan.

According to townspeople, this is the effect of the large-scale mining industry which has slowly been wrecking their natural resources.

It was revealed on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" that the flooding in Brooke's Point was more intense in January and February, which never happened in previous years.

Mines in Palawan

Palawan, dubbed as the "Last Frontier" due to its rich natural resources, is also home to the largest nickel mine in the country. Nickel is a metallic substance that is the main ingredient in creating metal, batteries, coins, and electric vehicles.

There are six active mines in the province right now. One of them operates in the town of Brooke's Point.

Eighty-percent of the mining operation here is within a protected area, the MMPL or Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, while 20% is outside the protected area.

In 1993, the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement through Ipilan Nickel Corporation or INC (named Celestial Mining Corporation at that time) had an agreement with the national government, which allowed the company to have mining operations in Brooke's Point for 25 years.

In 2006, INC began the exploration in Mount Mantalingahan, the highest mountain on the island. But in 2009, this was nominated to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site so it was declared a protected area.

Due to this, mining operations were supposed to be banned in the area. However, the INC got a certificate for them to continue to operate.

In 2016, under the leadership of former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, the ECC or  Environmental Compliance Certificate of INC was canceled after it was reported that they cut down more than 7,000 trees. But they were again permitted to operate with the appointment of the newly designated DENR Secretary in 2020.

Mining at Brooke's Point continued and there were about 28,000 cut trees reported. More are set to be cut as mining continues.

The flooding in the area has a red color because it's mixed with laterite and residue from cut trees. Laterite is a kind of soil that is rich in iron and aluminum, and comes from mining nickel. According to townspeople, this is not the mines' main aim, so it is left behind.

"Alam ninyo po, nalulungkot lang po ako sa aming mga opisyal. Tinitignan nila 'yung ilang tao na makikinabang. Pero hindi nila tinitingnan 'yung magiging dulot nito sa mamamayan," a local resident named Kuya Samuel said.

["I'm just saddened by our officials. They're prioritizing the few who will benefit while ignoring the impact on the residents."]

"Sila lang naman po talaga 'yung gaganda at aayos. Pero kaming mga maliliit, kami naman talaga 'yung laging talo at kami 'yung apektado," he added.

["They're the only ones who will benefit from this, while we, the ordinary people, always end up suffering the most."]

Locals affected

Among those affected by the mining at Brooke's Point include the fisherfolk, whose catch have been decreasing. The fish they catch also have mud on them, and so they cannot be sold.

Tatay George, a fisherman, has turned helpless at his small catch.  The fishermen's nets also prove the real problem in their province — they have turned brownish red and the mud is visible.

Moharem previously owned a lobster farm in Brooke's Point, where he earns P50,000 per month which is used to support his family. However, he was building a lobster trap when a dock was built right in front of it, and soil piled up in turn.

"Masakit para sa akin 'yun dahil nakita ko na lang tinatambakan na. Ang sabi pa nila sa amin bawal magkuha ng picture, bawal mag-video. Sabi ko, 'Anong dahilan? Dahil amin ito mula nu'ng mga ninuno pa namin," Moharem said.

["Seeing them fill it with landfill is painful for me. They even told us we're not allowed to take pictures and videos. I asked them why—because this belongs to us, to our ancestors."]

With this, his business sank and he is now working as a farmer. Farming is another main source of income in Brooke's Point. However, it has its own challenges—Moharem's rice field is not safe from the mining effects because it's near the mountain of mud where the mined nickel is transported. The roads leading to his field are also filled with mud.

"Sa ngayon, talagang luging-lugi. Kasi 'yung gastos ko po diyan kulang-kulang po 'yan P50,000. So, kung 'yung bayad ng palay ko wala pang kalahati. Kung ito po ay magpapatuloy, talagang maghihirap po 'yung tribo namin," Moharem said.

["We're really at a huge loss right now. My expenses amount to approximately P50,000, yet the revenue from our rice yields doesn't even cover half of these costs. If this situation persists, our community will endure severe hardships."]

Farmer Ronald said that he lost his rice field due to the mud and flooding, just as he was ready for harvesting. His one-hectare land was affected, and he could have earned P40,000 from the harvest.

"Nananawagan po ako sana mabigyan din nila ng pansin 'yung aming hanapbuhay na kung saan dapat hindi puwedeng ipagsama 'yung mining at saka agrikultura," he said.

["They should be mindful of our livelihood, where mining and agriculture should not be combined."]

Another farmer named Lane is also experiencing health issues due to stepping on laterite. His feet now has bumps and is shedding skin.

"Makati kasi siya at saka masakit. Mahapdi kasi hindi ako halos makalakad," he said.

["Exposure to laterite causes itchiness and pain. It stings, making it difficult for me to walk.]

The 28,000 cut trees have also largely affected the environment. A lot of the trees were native to Palawan.

The almaciga tree is significant in the daily lives of tribes. Its sap can be lit to use as a light source.

"Ito 'yung dagta ng almaciga. Ang tawag sa amin bagtik. Ngayon, itong dagta nito po, ito 'yung nu'ng panahon ng mga ninuno namin, hindi ito binebenta kundi pang-ilaw lang. Tapos ginagamit din sa kalan. 'Pag wala kang panggatong, kaya lang 'yung kaldero ay mangitim po," local Nelson said.

["This is the sap of the almaciga tree, which we call 'bagtik.' In the time of our ancestors, it wasn't sold but was mainly used for lighting. Later, it was also used as fuel for stoves—if you didn't have firewood, you could use it, though it would blacken the pot."]

It is also used to make varnish, wax, paint, and printing ink, among others. The tribesmen sell these for P25 per kilo.

Because of the cut trees, the almaciga is in danger of going extinct.

Government's actions

The local government unit of Brooke's Point has addressed the residents' complaints. However, their mayor was removed from the position which allowed mining to continue.

The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) released a Cease and Desist Order to stop mining operations.

The Supreme Court issued a Writ of Kalikasan to the DENR, MGB, and INC petitioned by the Palawan Indigenous Cultural Communities. However, the case was junked in 2024.

In April 2024, the PCSD had a meeting for a 25-year mining moratorium in Palawan.

The PCSD struggled to reach quorum, so the local bishop helped them start a signature campaign to make a petition for the case.

There were three hearings in February, and a decision is expected next week.

Despite the 11 operating mining companies, there are 78 more applying to operate on the island. Some of them do not just have Southern Palawan as their target, but the northern part which includes popular tourist spots like El Nido and Coron.

Although large-scale mines also provide jobs to townspeople, scholarships to the youth, and promises a boost to local and national economy, residents, especially the native Palaw'an are concered about the long-term effects to the environment.

"Pakinggan sana kami ng gobyerno. Kasi ito lang po ang aming kayamanan, 'yung kabundukan. Kailanman, hindi man kami mayaman pero 'yun ang ipamana namin sa aming mga anak at kaapo-apuhan," a local protester said.

["I hope the government listens to us. These mountains are our only treasure. We may never be wealthy, but they are what we will pass on to our children and grandchildren"]

"Hindi naman sabing pinipigilan namin ang mina. Nandyan na 'yan. Pero pag-aralan muna. Kasi ang masakit po ay hindi nila kami pinapakinggan," she added. Ang sabi nila po nakakatulong ang minahan dahil mayroon scholar. Ang tanong, hanggang kailan? Kasi kabundukan habangbuhay nandyan po 'yan. Ang minahan 'pag nakuha na nila 'yung mga dapat nilang kunin, wala na 'yan iiwan nila. Ang maiiwan sa amin ay kalawang. Kaya po kami lumalaban."

["It's not that we're trying to stop the mine—it's already there. But it should be studied first. What hurts is that they're not listening to us, the residents. They say the mine helps by providing scholarships, but for how long? The mountains will be here forever, but once the mine has taken what it needs, it will be gone, and they'll leave. All that will be left for us is rust. That's why we're fighting for this."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News