Residents and advocates in the Philippines are calling on President Marcos Jr. to halt planned mining by Altai Philippines Mining Corporation on Sibuyan Island. A petition against the project has collected over 1,000 signatures. Protests continue amid a standing government order against the operations.
Locals and environmental groups are pressing the Marcos administration and San Fernando officials to block the mining activities on the biodiversity-rich island. The petition from Living Laudato Si’ Philippines, launched July 21, warns of threats to forests, rivers, watersheds, and coastal areas across 42 hectares.
San Fernando Councilor Daxie Rios said a motion to endorse Altai’s mining project feasibility application passed on July 17 with a 6-3 vote. He noted surprise at the quick action and called for more debate, study, and public hearings before any endorsement.
Sibuyan residents formed a human barricade against Altai’s operations in 2023. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a cease-and-desist order that year, which remains in place. Noise barrage protests have occurred in San Fernando since July 17.
