MGB temporarily stops mining firm’s activities in Nueva Vizcaya

MANILA, Philippines — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has ordered an immediate temporary suspension of a mining firm’s exploration permit in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, effectively halting its activities, due to heavy opposition from communities in the area.

Based on a 2-page letter dated Feb. 5 and addressed to the president of Woggle Corporation, the MGB said it temporarily suspended the mining firm’s exploration permit due to “force majeure.”

READ: Fighting for their land, Vizcaya folk take aim vs mining

Under Republic No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 195, force majeure refers “to acts or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Permit Holder, including, among others, riots, civil disturbances, blockades, disputes with surface owners, over which the affected party has no reasonable control.”

The MGB cited the existence of sustained community opposition in certain portions of the approved exploration area, which has resulted in the establishment of barricades and blockades along access roads leading to the exploration site—which it said, prevent the safe, orderly and lawful conduct of exploration activities.

“In view thereof, this Office finds that the prevailing situation in certain areas of the Municipality of Dupax del Norte constitutes force majeure as defined in the Mining Act,” the letter read.

“In the interest of public safety and the maintenance of peace and order, and pursuant to the regulatory authority vested in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, this Office hereby temporarily suspends the Exploration Permit No. EP000030II of Woggle, effective immediately,” it announced.

According to the MGB, the suspension will remain in force until such force majeure conditions have ceased.

“Woggle is hereby directed to immediately cease and desist from all exploration activities within the permit area for the duration of the suspension,” the MGB said.

The MGB, however, clarified that the suspension is not the same as a cancellation, but maintained that it will be “imposed strictly as a regulatory measure in view of the existing force majeure situation.”

It then reminded Woggle Corporation of its responsibility to rehabilitate any disturbed environment within the permit area, in accordance with its environmental responsibility.

Advocates hail order

After the temporary suspension of Woggle’s exploration permit, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) welcomed the development.

The group viewed the directive as an affirmation of the basic principle in mining: “No mining or exploration activity should proceed without genuine consultation and the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities.”

“This is more than a mining issue. This is about the people’s right to be heard and to decide what happens to their land and future,” said PAHRA Secretary-General Edgar Cabalitan in a statement.

“When residents are forced to put up barricades just to assert their rights, it shows how neglected those rights have been,” he noted.

Cabalitan then raised concern over the heavy police presence in the area, as well as the reported arrests during efforts to dismantle opposition to the mining firm’s exploration permit.

“State forces should not be used to pressure communities defending their environment and livelihood. Public order must never come at the expense of human rights,” he said.

PAHRA then emphasized that the suspension remains an initial step, calling on the MGB to consider revoking Woggle’s permit.

“If consent was absent and consultations were flawed, authorities must seriously consider revoking the permit. The people’s sustained opposition cannot be ignored,” Cabalitan said.

Woggle questions suspension

Meanwhile, Woggle Corporation, for its part, questioned the MGB’s suspension of its exploration permit and activities, raising concerns over the legal basis of the suspension.

In a statement, the company asserted that its exploration permit was validly issued by the government and that it has not violated any of its terms and conditions.

It pointed out that such grants are “not mere privileges revocable without legal bases” as they are governed by statutory standards.

“If the suspension is premised on the existence of illegal barricades, political agitation or disruptions caused by third parties, Woggle respectfully submits that these circumstances do not justify penalizing the lawful permit holder,” the company said.

It added that a court had also already previously declared the barricades illegal and issued a writ of preliminary injunction.

READ: Court orders IDs, arrests of protesters blocking Dupax mining

The firm then warned that suspending a government-issued permit due to external disruptions could undermine regulatory and investor confidence in the mining sector.

It also cited possible economic repercussions, saying more than 1,200 employees and contractors linked to its operations in the province could be affected by the prolonged suspension.

With this, the company said it is currently reviewing all legal remedies available “to ensure that its rights are protected under Philippine law.”

It then called on the MGB to provide a clear legal basis for the suspension; clarify whether force majeure is correctly invoked and under what statutory authority; and affirm the government’s commitment to regulatory stability and the protection of lawful investments. /apl