BAGUIO CITY — The first community assembly for a proposed mining operation in Sallapadan, Abra is not a final decision on whether the town will allow its lands to be mined, the mayor said.

Sallapadan Mayor Fernando Alafriz Semanero said the assembly for the proposed exploration by Yamang Mineral Corporation (YMC) is a mandatory step required by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to facilitate the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process. The meeting is scheduled for 17 February 2026.

Semanero explained that the FPIC process ensures the indigenous cultural community is fully informed of their rights under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 before any mining applications are granted or denied.

He noted that in November 2024, the local government submitted a protest to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) after an authority to verify minerals was issued without following proper consent protocols, temporarily halting the venture.

The mayor stressed that the upcoming assembly is for information sharing and does not mean mining permits have been or will be automatically granted. He said the final decision rests with the indigenous cultural community of Sallapadan, not the office of the mayor or a small group of individuals.

Semanero urged residents to consult factual information through credible studies and government publications to understand the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.

He also reminded the public that online discussions do not constitute part of the official decision-making process. The only proper channel for determining the community’s stance is through the official votes cast during the NCIP-facilitated process.

The mayor called on barangay officials and indigenous representatives to protect the community from misinformation and coercion, emphasizing that the final outcome must reflect the genuine will of the Masadiit Tribe of Abra.