DAVAO CITY – The provincial government of Davao Oriental has intensified efforts to protect the environment against the hazardous impact of large-scale mining operations as well as unauthorized small-scale mining activities, quarrying, and transport of other minerals.

Authorities recently shut down an illegal small-scale mining area in Barangay Marayag in Lupon town.

Lawmen carried out the raid as illegal mining activities persisted even after the local government of Lupon issued Executive Order No. 38, Series of 2025, mandating

a halt in quarrying operations in the area.

The provincial government acted after receiving reports from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) that illegal mineral extraction had resumed on the Sumlog River.

Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang formed a composite force to enforce Executive Order No. 72, Series of 2025, directing a province-wide crackdown on unauthorized mining, hauling, and transport of sand, gravel, and other minerals.

PENRO acting department head Derbert General led the task force which is composed of personnel from the Philippine National Police, the 701st Infantry Brigade, 66th Infantry Battalion, the Provincial Information Office (PIO), and the Barangay Council of Marayag.

Dayanghirang emphasized that the provincial government will not tolerate illegal mining activities due to its impact on the environment, community safety, and the integrity of the province's natural resources.

"We must protect our environment. We must safeguard Sumlog River and other parts of Davao Oriental for the future generations," he said.

The provincial government appealed to the public to immediately report illegal excavations, hauling at night, or suspicious movements of minerals to local police, barangay officials, or the nearest military detachment.

The governor underscored that the crackdown in Marayag is part of the broader provincial effort to safeguard the environment.

The provincial government launched the crackdown amid efforts to resolve the longstanding issue of the mining operations in Barangay Macambol in City of Mati.

Dayanghirang revealed that the provincial government has filed a formal complaint against the Macambol mining project before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary, the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA), and even the Office of the President.

He added that the complaint highlighted the community's fears, environmental risks, and potential long-term damage to protected ecosystems surrounding Macambol.

Dayanghirang has suggested to the provincial council to pass a measure to stop the nickel mining operations in Macambol as it threatens to destroy the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

The measure was also proposed following the discovery by the provincial government of the 200-hectare clearing near the designated buffer zone.

Dayanghirang emphasized the need to protect the environment, especially that the mined out area is located near the designated buffer zone.

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the buffer zones are “designated areas around mining tenements or bodies of water where extraction and certain facility construction are restricted to minimize environmental impact.”

"We have already done our part. The documents are with the national offices and with the President. We are now waiting for their response. Our stand remains firm: We will not allow any threat to the environment in Davao Oriental,” the governor said.