The following is taken from a press release of Negros Environmental Watch

May pa-Jollibee, may pa raffle, tapos nagpa pirma sila.

Nanay Aliza on the how local community members were bribed to support the black sand mining project threatening to disastrously affect their community.

Nanay Aliza revealed to eco-group Negros Environmental Watch on how officials tried to recently coerce locals into permitting black sand mining in their community in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, through the guise of a “dredging project”.

Barangay officials reportedly invited the people to a meeting and entertained them with a raffle, a few servings of Jollibee meals, and then tricked people into signing a piece of paper for “attendance”, which turned out to be one that would support the mining project.

However, Nanay Aliza continues to call on her fellow people and all Negrosanons to join them in fighting against black sand mining threatening the shores and rivers in Negros Occidental.

Community leaders from EB Magalona have been actively fighting against black sand mining which endangers their coastal areas and livelihoods.

Quote from another EB Magalona Resident about black sand mining in their community

According to advocates, operation is said to have led to a decrease in their fish catch, affecting everyone in their coastal communities from fisherfolk, to vendors, to mothers. Exploration and dredging operations are still ongoing despite the pandemic. Environmentalists call unto people to remain vigilant as if the project pursues in EB Magalona, other parts of Negros Island may be threatened as well.