Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have denied allegations of black‑sand mining off the province’s coast, countering claims made by Vigan City Mayor Bonito Singson.
"All members of my family will resign en mass from their government positions if someone could prove that we are engage in black sand mining," Chavit Singson said in an exclusive interview.
Singson dismissed the accusation — circulating online — that he is involved in illegal extraction in Caoayan town, calling it an unfounded attempt to tarnish his reputation.
He clarified that dredging is under way in Caoayan’s shallow waters to reduce the risk of flooding in nearby barangays of Caoayan and Vigan. "For quite long time, there had been no dredging of the shallow coastal areas of this town that is why we initiated the dredging of the shallow portion of waters to prevent flash floods in several barangays of Caoayan and Vigan," he said.
"In fact", Singson pointed out, "the provincial government is not paying a single centavo on the operations of dredging; we should be thankful to the dredgers because they are not charging us."
Singson explained that operators transport the dredged sand to a reclamation project in Pasay City as compensation.
PCG station commander LTJG Christopher Busilan confirmed in an official report that "the extraction did not take place in nearby Santa town waters but along Caoayan dredging area, where strict procedures are followed and relevant documents were presented as well. Moreover, these dredging vessels are legally transporting their loads to the Pasay reclamation area as part of an approved reclamation project."
Bonito Singson’s social‑media post alleging black‑sand mining went viral last week. Chavit attributed the accusation to political friction, noting that Bonito withdrew his reelection bid in Vigan City before the local slate named Chavit’s son, Randy Singson, as its mayoral candidate.
"So Bonito has an axe to grind against me and he had even told to Pres. Bongbong Marcos that I am controlling the political battles in the province to destroy my reputation," added Singson.