By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Less than three weeks into his appointment as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Raphael Lotilla is facing an urgent appeal from his fellow Antiqueños to shield the province from proposed mining activities.
The Amlig Antique Alliance has called on Lotilla to act on concerns over a plan to declare a 3,715-hectare mineral reservation in the upland towns of Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Sibalom – Lotilla’s hometown.
“We write to you not just as the DENR secretary, but as a son of Sibalom – one who knows the sacredness of our land and the fragility of our mountains,” said Atty. Rolly Pedrina, chairperson of the alliance.
In a June 2 letter obtained by Daily Guardian, the group urged Lotilla to reject the proposed mineral reservation by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), which identified unquantified deposits of copper, gold, and chromite.
The group is also pushing for Lotilla’s support on their petition for a 50-year mining moratorium in the province, which was formally submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on May 28.
They further requested Lotilla to issue a department order suspending all mining applications, including Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) and Financial or Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAA), especially in mountainous zones classified as critical watersheds or geo-hazard areas based on slope and topography.
Both MPSA and FTAA are contracts between the government and mining firms allowing exploration and development of mineral resources, with the state retaining ownership and a share in the output.
MGB data show that 12 exploration permit (EP) applications are located in the proposed mineral reservation areas.
An EP allows firms to assess whether areas are viable for expansion into MPSA or FTAA arrangements.
The alliance also urged Lotilla to visit Antique for on-site dialogues with local officials and civil society groups to hear the broad opposition firsthand.
“This is the moment your covenant with Antique must be proven,” Pedrina said.
“While the Chamber of Mines celebrates your appointment, we – your fellow Antiqueños – imagine the child who grew up seeing Sibalom’s river run clear.”
The group warned that potential mining operations may contaminate local water sources with toxic waste from nickel and copper extraction.
They also raised concerns over landslide risks in this typhoon-prone province and the possible cultural displacement of Indigenous Ati and Iraynon Bukidnon communities.
According to MGB’s landslide and flood susceptibility map, most towns in Antique are considered flood-prone.
In a resolution passed on February 10, 2025, the SP formally opposed the mineral reservation declaration.
The resolution stated that the proposed areas are vital water sources for both upland communities and downstream towns such as Belison, Hamtic, and San Jose de Buenavista.
The SP cited data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and MGB Region VI showing that several barangays are highly vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
“The disruption of the area will further put the lives and properties of the Antiqueños at risk – the same communities that suffered devastating losses from Typhoon Frank and Severe Tropical Storm Paeng,” the resolution read.
Local government units of the affected towns have also passed individual resolutions rejecting the proposed mineral reservation.
