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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Tribal leaders seek accountability for P19-M mining royalty in 2024

Tribal leaders seek accountability for P19-M mining royalty in 2024

Published Jul 23, 2026 04:31 pm
MINING royalty rally in Mati City.
MINING royalty rally in Mati City.
DAVAO CITY — Tribal leaders from two barangays in Mati City are demanding full accountability for the P19-million mining royalty released in 2024 before any additional royalty funds are disbursed.
The royalty, generated from the operations of Hallmark Mining Corp., is intended for the development of indigenous communities within the mining site.
Datu Vidal Mapinogos Jr. and Datu Simplicio Mendoza Jr. recognized tribal leaders and members of the Indigenous People Political Structure in Barangay Macambol.
According to the leaders, the IPS oversees the Community Resources Management Development Program under the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan.
Mapinogos said the ADSDP provides the legal framework for the utilization of royalty funds in accordance with guidelines issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
He added that the implementation of programs funded by the royalty is mandated to be managed by the IPs organization through the Macambol-Cabuaya Ancestral Domain Management Office, headed by Barangay Councilor Errol Aquino.
Mendoza said 10 of the 12 IPS members have formally requested an accounting of the P19-million royalty allegedly managed by the IPO under Aquino’s leadership, claiming that no resolutions or official documents detailing the funded projects have been presented.
The tribal leaders also questioned the role of NCIP Regional Director Geroncio Aguio in the disbursement and oversight of the 2024 royalty, saying the accountability issue remains unresolved despite having been raised before the agency.
The concerns were reiterated following an assembly organized by the NCIP Regional Office and Aquino on Wednesday, July 22.
Mapinogos alleged that the gathering was intended to introduce an “interim leadership” that would replace the existing IPS and facilitate the release of the P32-million royalty for 2025.
He claimed that more than 1,000 residents attended the assembly and rejected the proposed interim leadership.
Mapinogos also alleged that the NCIP Regional Office has declared the IPS a non-functioning body through a memorandum, a claim he described as “false” and “without basis.”
According to him, replacing the IPS with an interim group could pave the way for the release and possible mismanagement of the 2025 royalty.
Mendoza said members of the five Mandaya clans continue to uphold the principle of “accountability first before the release of royalty,” stressing that the funds belong to the entire tribal community.
“This money belongs to the tribe collectively, not to any single individual or unauthorized group. The people of Macambol and Cabuaya have the legal right to be informed of how the P19 million royalty for 2024 was appropriated and disbursed,” Mendoza said in a statement.
The demand for accountability was likewise raised by residents during the assembly on Wednesday reinforcing the community’s unified stance.
Mendoza said the community rejected the proposed interim leadership over concerns that it was intended to expedite the release of the P32-million royalty without first accounting for the 2024 funds.
The NCIP, Aquino, and Hallmark Mining have yet to release statements regarding the issue.

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