Members of civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, residents, and officials of affected barangays, including the local government unit of Sta. Catalina led by Mayor Peve Obaniana-Ligan, protested against a large mining company in Sitio Tarug, Brgy. San Francisco, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday morning, April 12, 2023.

The protesters called for an end to the mining exploration activities of the Midan Corporation, which they believe will have a detrimental impact on the environment. The company is seeking to explore a thousand hectares of land in Sitio Tarug, Brgy. San Francisco, Sta. Catalina, for gold ore deposits.

The mining corporation was also accused of operating without a mayor’s permit, although they allegedly possess a permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Mayor Ligan expressed her strong opposition to the mining exploration due to the area’s declaration as a tourism zone by the city council.

The Sta. Catalina Bukidnon Tribe Association submitted a petition to the local government urging them to stop the mining exploration in the municipality. The Indigenous Peoples of Sta. Catalina claimed that the forest areas of the municipality have been their ancestral domain since time immemorial and are owned by their first elder/leader named Tolong.

The petition cites the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, also known as RA 8371, where it states that if the land area is already owned by different individuals, all the natural resources are owned by the state, and if there are IPs present, they are the owner of the said natural resources. In the case of Midan Mining Corporation, they should have sought Free Prior Informed Consent from the IPs before having a permit, which was not complied with.

“We strongly oppose mining activity in the Municipality of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, for our future generation,” the petition stated. “Protecting the forest is protecting the rights of the IPs to live peacefully, secure food, and enjoy clean water and fresh air. No to mining exploration in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.”

The Sta. Catalina Bukidnon Tribe Association has petitioned all government agencies responsible for the giving of Exploration Permit to Midan Mining Corporation, especially the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), to cancel and stop the exploration.

The affected barangays have also passed a resolution against the mining exploration in their area, adding to the mounting opposition against the company’s activities.

The resolution dated April 4 cites the potential destruction of natural resources, including the Sitio Tarog eco-tourism site, which is also an ancestral domain of Indigenous People. The resolution strongly recommends opposing the mining operation and ordering the removal of mining equipment in the area.

As of writing, the Midan Corporation has yet to release a statement in response to the protest.

Photos courtesy of Councilor Jay Ragay