A group of indigenous people (IP) once again prodded President Duterte to cancel the large-scale quarrying agreements found within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape and the Masungi Geopark Project before he steps down from office on June 30.
The Dumagat-Remontado tribe in Antipolo, Rizal warned that the quarrying will erase the "sacred mountain" that have protected the people against devastating typhoons for many years.
“Kung matutuloy ang quarrying ay maglalaho ang ang sagradong bundok dahil miminahin ang bato at papatagin ito. Ang mga ilog at tubig ay matutuyot (If the quarrying continues, the sacred mountain will be erased because they will mine and flatten the rocks. The water will also dry up)," they said in a statement on Sunday, June 15.
The Dumagat-Remontado tribe made the appeal as they expressed discontent with the suspension of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSAs) imposed by Department of Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim Sampulna against the Rapid City Realty and Development Corporation, Quarry Rock Group, and Quimson Limestone Inc.
In April, more than 30 renowned experts including lawyer-advocate Antonio Oposa Jr., environmental champion and former Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Science Dean Rey Papa, and Manila Observatory Head Ft. Jett Villarin called for the cancellation of the MPSAs of the three sister quarry companies which, according to them, cover more than 1,300 hectares of protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
The Dumagat-Remontado tribe and the advocates said the suspension order "can be lifted any time" so the "threat of quarrying remains."
They said the "correct action" should be the cancellation of the MPSAs since "the law is clear that protected areas and national parks are closed to mining."
The watershed’s forests and biodiversity protects Metro Manila and Rizal Province from disastrous flooding and other harmful effects of the climate crisis.
According to a recent National Museum of the Philippines report, major land and hydrologic disturbances in and around Masungi, such as quarrying, can have expensive consequences to life, property, and the economy.