DENR flags misleading mining headline
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reiterated that it had not allowed mining within protected areas of the Sierra Madre, calling a rewritten media headline circulating on social media “misleading” for suggesting that the agency had authorized mining in protected zones.
In a fact-checking advisory posted Monday, the DENR said a newspaper article published on 13 June 2025 carried the headline “Viral photo sparks concern, DENR says mining site outside Sierra Madre Protected Zone.”
However, a Facebook page rewrote the headline and circulated it on social media in a way that created the false impression that the DENR had permitted mining within protected areas.
“DENR will never allow mining or any activity that disturbs strictly protected areas,” the agency said.
“We remain committed to upholding environmental laws and protecting the country’s biodiversity and natural heritage,” it added.
DENR faces backlash
The agency has faced criticism over social media posts about mining in the Sierra Madre, particularly those involving Dinapigue Mining Corp. (DMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. that operates a nickel mine in Dinapigue, Isabela, within the Sierra Madre mountain range.
The DENR flagged a post by the Facebook page Iskolar ng Bayan bearing the headline “With Approval! DENR Has Approved 25-Year Sierra Madre Mining Operations.”
The post said mining permits authorize operations only within designated areas and that companies remain subject to environmental regulations, government monitoring, rehabilitation requirements and penalties for violations.
“Government authorization does not remove the responsibility to protect forests, water resources, and surrounding ecosystems throughout mining operations,” it added.
The post drew nearly 190,000 reactions, mostly angry, and more than 36,000 shares.
“Permits are not a free pass to destroy nature,” one netizen commented.
“What is the mission and vision of DENR? [Is it] to protect or to destroy?” another wrote.
Mining and reforestation
DMC’s Environmental Compliance Certificate was reportedly issued in 2008 and remains valid until 29 July 2032.
During a 2025 stakeholders’ forum organized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Cagayan Valley regional director Mario Ancheta said about 12,000 trees had reportedly been cut for site preparation. DMC was required to plant 100 trees for every tree cut.
Reforestation efforts are mandated across 1,299 hectares in the Cagayan Valley Region, including 125 hectares in Cagayan, 904 hectares in Isabela, 60 hectares in Nueva Vizcaya and more than 200 hectares in Quirino.
The DENR maintained that DMC’s operations are outside the buffer zones and the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
The DAILY TRIBUNE attempted to contact DMC through the DENR on 21 October. The DENR Central Office said the same day that the company would send an interview invitation by email, but the reporter had yet to receive it.