The ecumenical network Philippine-Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) is urging the Marinduque provincial government to launch a comprehensive ecological rehabilitation plan for sites damaged by decades of mining.
The group’s call, issued on Nov. 12, supports a formal resolution from the Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC) to address long-standing environmental degradation from Marcopper Mining Corp. operations.
The MACEC resolution, adopted on Nov. 2, specifically requests that Gov. Melecio J. Go convene a Rehabilitation, Remediation, and Oversight Committee. This body would include government agencies, scientific experts, and local community representatives to ensure that restoration efforts remain transparent and science-based, according to Pressenza – International Press Agency.
“The voices of affected communities must be at the heart of rehabilitation efforts,” said PMPI national coordinator Yolanda Esguerra, as reported by the Inquirer. “Those who have directly experienced the consequences of ecological destruction are uniquely positioned to serve as guardians and advocates for both their communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend,” PMPI national coordinator Yolanda Esguerra emphasized.
Dispute over Settlement Funds and Legal Fees
The push for rehabilitation follows a $100-million settlement agreement between the Marinduque provincial government and Barrick Gold Corporation, which inherited the case after acquiring Placer Dome. While the Court of Appeals has approved the settlement, its implementation remains a point of contention regarding the distribution of funds.
Gov. Go stated during a Nov. 9 public consultation that he is not opposing the settlement itself, but is questioning a 25-percent contingency fee requested by the legal firm SEDALAW, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
Go said that $50 million of the settlement is currently held in a Land Bank of the Philippines account, while the release of the remaining $50 million is complicated by the closure of an escrow account in Canada.
The Manila Standard reported that concerns over legal expenses should not hinder the urgent ecological restoration of the Boac and Mogpog river systems, which were severely impacted by dam collapses and tunnel bursts in the 1990s.
Community-Led Restoration Proposals
Local officials are also pushing for a more active role in the recovery process. During a consultation with Gov. Go, a representative for Mogpog Mayor Jojo Livelo proposed a community-based rehabilitation program, the Daily Tribune reported.
The Mogpog municipal government has already organized a local task force to gather baseline data on environmental conditions. While Go acknowledged the need for detailed scientific assessments and technical expertise from institutions like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the University of the Philippines, he stressed that all interventions must be evaluated for their cost and effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Governor Go reported that he accepted the settlement on Oct. 6, 2025, and half of the funds are already deposited in an official provincial account. The remaining $50 million is currently inaccessible due to the closure of an escrow account in Canada, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
The provincial government is questioning a 25-percent contingency fee sought by its private legal counsel, SEDALAW. While the governor argues that this fee impacts the amount available for rehabilitation, critics contend that the fee was already approved by the Court of Appeals and should not stop the cleanup process, as reported by the Manila Standard.
The proposed restoration efforts focus on the Boac and Mogpog river systems, Calancan Bay, and surrounding ecosystems that suffered from tailings disposal and mining-related accidents, according to the Inquirer.