MANKAYAN, Benguet — Mayor Cesar Pasiwen has appealed for unity as the dispute over the mining exploration project of Crescent Mining and Development Corp. (CMDC) continues to divide the community.

Pasiwen acknowledged that while mining provides jobs, preserving peace and protecting the welfare of residents must remain the priority. He said the municipal government will await the court's ruling on the temporary restraining order before determining its next legal steps.

The mayor said the issue has created deep divisions, with some residents opposing the exploration due to environmental and ancestral domain concerns, while others have allowed drilling on their properties in hopes of economic opportunities.

In October 2025, Pasiwen ordered CMDC to suspend drilling operations after Kankanaey Indigenous Peoples established barricades to protect their ancestral lands, farms and water sources.

Opponents of the project claim the company has been operating under an expired permit and without the required Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from indigenous communities. Meanwhile, the company and its supporters argue the barricades have blocked lawful operations and the rights of landowners who consented to exploration.

The dispute is now before the courts, which will determine whether the mining operations may proceed while the legal issues are being resolved.