A prayer rally was organized by several groups in front of Gloria Public Market, Oriental Mindoro, on Thursday, September 4, to oppose the large-scale project dubbed “river restoration through large-scale dredging,” which critics say is actually black sand mining.
The protest was attended by various groups, including the Coalition to Save Mindoro (Koalisyon Sagip Mindoro), Gloria Municipal Fisherfolks Federation, environmentalists, local officials, and residents from Gloria, Pinamalayan, Bansud, and Calapan City.
It may be recalled that Barangay Balete in Gloria was one of the approved sites for dredging activities. However, Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor temporarily suspended the Notices to Proceed (NTP) issued in 2024 to companies such as Southern Concrete Industries Inc., San Miguel Aero City, and China Harbour Engineering Company.
Coinciding with the prayer rally was the reported start of dredging operations, which heightened tensions in the community. Residents opposing the project raised concerns about its impact on the environment and their livelihood, saying dredging destroys mangrove forests and marine ecosystems, leading to dwindling fish catches. They demanded a concrete environmental protection plan and urged fellow citizens not to remain silent but to stand up for their livelihood and safety.
Protesters alleged that China Harbour Engineering Company was hauling sand from Gloria’s coastal waters and selling it to San Miguel Aero City Inc. at a high price of around ₱700 per cubic meter. They questioned why the sand needed to be transported to the New Manila International Airport project in Bulakan, Bulacan.
They also argued that if the dredging was truly for river restoration, the municipal and provincial governments, as well as the DPWH, could undertake it using their own equipment—and that it should be focused on rivers, not the sea.
Based on project documents, around 38.47 million cubic meters of sand would be extracted from Gloria’s coastal waters, with only 1.95% (about 750,000 cubic meters) coming from Balete River. The remaining 98.05%—or 37.72 million cubic meters—would come from the sea.
Residents condemned the so-called “river restoration through large-scale dredging” as nothing more than large-scale sea sand mining that threatens Gloria’s coastal environment. They warned that removing massive amounts of sand from the seabed would make communities more vulnerable to storm surges and strong waves, causing destruction to coastal areas. They also criticized the involvement of corrupt politicians allegedly benefiting from the project.
Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Board Member Atty. Manny Buenaventura called on the Senate to step in and investigate the controversial dredging activities. During the 12th Sangguniang Panlalawigan session on August 27, he insisted that the issue should be brought before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which investigates government anomalies.
“If the Senate is investigating flood control projects, then this dredging project also warrants examination.” If there are no anomalies, could we consider referring it to the Blue Ribbon Committee? Buenaventura said.
Source: Reported by Ronald Bula of Police Files Tonight
