Concern expressed over Lingayen Gulf mining projects

MANILA, Philippines — Food security advocacy group Tugon Kabuhayan has raised concern over a proposed offshore mining project in the Lingayen Gulf as it could negatively impact both fisheries production and the livelihood of fishermen.

In a virtual briefing yesterday, Tugon Kabuhayan convenor Asis Perez said the proponents of the project – Iron Ore Gold and Vanadium Resources (Phils.) Inc. – are applying for an environmental compliance certificate.  The project is targeting an annual extraction of 25-million dry metric tons of black sand.

“Tugon Kabuhayan is very much concerned over the danger that this project will bring both to aquaculture and the fisheries sector, and also of course the livelihood of the fisheries and aquaculture operators in that area,”Perez said.

He said the Lingayen Gulf is part of  2,064 square kilometers of water, surrounded by the towns of Agoo, Alaminos, Anda, Aringay, Bani, Bauang, Binmaley, Bolinao, Caba, Dagupan, Labrador, Lingayen, Rosario, San Fabian, San Fernando (La Union), Santo Tomas, and Sual, which is one of the country’s major fishing grounds.

Perez said the Lingayen Gulf is home to two protected areas – the Hundred Island National Park and the Agoo-Damortiz Protected Seascape.

The entire Lingayen Gulf has around 3,000 cages for bangus, thousands of hectares and fishponds, hundreds of fish-pens and a very productive fishing ground, according to Perez.

He said the estimated annual production from bangus cages alone is around 125,000 to 150,000 metric tons, thus making the area one of the country’s top bangus producers.

Tugon Kabuhayan co-convenor Norberto Chingcuanco said at a farmgate price of P110 per kilo, revenue from bangus production in Pangasinan alone is estimated at P16.5 billion annually.

The proposed project is covered by a financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA) approved by the Office of the President on Nov. 25, 2020.

The proponents have also entered into an agreement with the government for the large-scale exploration, development and commercial utilization of minerals found within the contract area, where the company has obtained the exclusive rights to conduct mining operations for the extraction of magnetite sand.

“We’re asking the national government to reconsider its decision to approve the project’s implementation,”Tugon Kabuhayan said.

“It will adversely impact the livelihood of fisherfolk especially since excavation will be allowed from 500 meters from shore seaward. This is where the coral reef, sea grass and soft bottom ecosystems thrive. This is also where spawning and nursery, egg and larval dispersal of economically important species occur. If we do not prevent the possible destruction of our coral reefs, livelihood and food security will be threatened,” it said.

PAMALAKAYA Central Luzon regional chairperson Bobby Roldan said the proposed project would result in “devastating impacts” to the livelihood of not less than 5,000 small fisherfolk in Pangasinan’s Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, and Sual towns.