Palawan LGU issues 2nd stop order vs nickel mine

MANILA, Philippines — Officials and residents of Brooke’s Point in Palawan served yesterday a second cease and desist order (CDO) against Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC).

Brooke’s Point Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano said INC defied the first CDO issued by the local government.

In a radio interview, lawyer Grizelda Mayo-Anda of Save Palawan Movement said National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Mimaropa director Grace Pascua denied the motion for consideration filed by the INC on the first CDO it issued on Aug. 11.

Anda said the Brooke’s Point municipal government asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to act on the issue as INC continues with its nickel ore operation in the town.

She said INC also proceeded with the cutting of 27,990 trees after it was given a special tree-cutting permit even though the late DENR secretary Gina Lopez suspended the mining firm’s Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).

“The cutting of trees was even done outside the tree- cutting permit. Its MPSA was almost 2,000 hectares and its special tree-cutting permit covering 27,990 trees ranged between 20 and 25 hectares,” Anda said.

She said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga has yet to act on the letter submitted by the municipal government of Brooke’s Point in March.