In a significant move to address ongoing tensions between mining interests and local communities, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Cagayan Valley (MGB-2) has proposed a substantial reduction of a contested exploration permit held by North Luzon Mineral Resources Corp. (NLMRC) in the upland town of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The current Exploration Permit EP-000029-II covers an expansive area of 4,456 hectares, encompassing six barangays (villages), and has been at the center of protests and legal disputes involving both local residents and numerous stakeholders, including national and local government officials.
MGB-2 Regional Director Mario Ancheta announced that the bureau plans to recommend the removal of four barangays from the exploration permit, retaining only the villages of Pao and Kakidugen. This proposal aims to alleviate local grievances by minimizing the geographic scope of mining exploration, which many residents oppose due to concerns over environmental and social impacts. Ancheta emphasized that the objective of the proposed exploration is to assess the existence of commercially viable mineral deposits in the area.
Residents barricading the site have expressed their desire for a complete withdrawal of the mining firm. Despite the proposed reduction, municipal councilor Anthony Glen Guingayan Sr. argued that the best course of action would be for NLMRC to exit entirely to prevent further unrest. He highlighted that the exploration activities are nearly complete and raised concerns about criminal charges filed against protestors, with over 20 individuals currently facing legal action. Guingayan advocates for the cessation of mining expansion in Kasibu, citing sufficient operations already underway in the nearby Didipio area.
On the company’s side, lawyer Ulysses Ordoñez noted that the blockade has resulted in lost revenues amounting to approximately P8 million. He indicated that NLMRC is considering seeking a preliminary injunction to lift the barricade and resume exploration. However, he conditionally offered to forgo this legal route if protesters permit the completion of the exploration work.
Provincial authorities, including Nueva Vizcaya Governor Jose Gambito and Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban, have reiterated the limitations of local governance regarding mining permits, which are regulated at the national level. Gambito underscored that only a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could halt such operations, as local officials lack the unilateral authority to stop national permits. He expressed empathy for local opposition to large-scale mining while stating that systemic challenges exist in curbing such operations, similar to experiences faced by past administrations.
As an alternative approach, Gambito indicated he would advocate for the designation of the area as a 'Minahang Bayan' (people's small-scale mining area) if small-scale mining proves more viable. This classification would allow local residents to benefit from mineral resources in a regulated manner, promoting community involvement rather than corporate development.
In the quest for resolution, provincial board member Flodemonte Gerdan urged NLMRC to drop charges against barricade participants as a goodwill gesture. Bugkalot lawyer Efraim Osingat also appealed to the protestors to permit exploration, suggesting that a new company aiming to bring development to their ancestral lands represents a rare opportunity for locals.