House probe urged on Bataan mining

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) approval for exploration and mining activities in Pantingan, Bataan, must be investigated, particularly as reports suggest it undermined the required consent of indigenous people in the area, a lawmaker said.

Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima filed House Resolution 1569, urging a congressional inquiry by the House of Representatives into the Bataan Mineral Corporation and Benguet Corporation (BBMC-BC).

The lawmaker sought to have the mining permits granted to BBMC-BC examined to determine whether the agreements for the activities complied with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent requirement under Philippine law.

Mining concerns raised

Reports reportedly gathered from the Panglalawigang Asosasyon ng mga Ayta sa Bataan (PANABAT) raised concerns about the mining and exploration, which would focus on Pantingan Peak — part of their ancestral domain.

The group highlighted potential environmental risks the activity could pose to the area, such as forest degradation, wildlife disturbance, impacts on water sources, landslide risks, and other effects that could degrade their livelihood.

The issue also caught De Lima’s attention because information also indicated that the indigenous communities were not consulted before the renewed agreement between the MGB and BBMC-BC.

“Based on the information we gathered, it remains unexplained how the Mines and Geosciences Bureau reportedly approved the renewal of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement in Pantigan Peak despite the absence of a recorded community consensus,” she said.

De Lima specifically questioned the circumstances surrounding the agreement, including whether the FPIC was followed in accordance with the law and whether the agencies and companies involved submitted the required documents for the renewal.

The resolution indicated that three separate meetings were held regarding the mining and exploration permit between September and November 2024.