“Reconsider Sibonga Council Endorsement of Bayan Cement Project”

Last July 2, 2024, despite strong opposition and protest led by the Save Sibonga Movement (composed mostly of Sibonga residents and partners), the Sibonga Sanggunian Bayan, in its third reading approved --by 6 Yes vs. 3 No votes-- the “resolution favorably endorsing, approving, and allowing the construction, development and operation of Bayan Cement Producers Corp. (BCPC) and its allied private individuals and/or entities located in the Barangays of Sabang, Candaguit and Mangyan, Municipality of Sibonga, Province of Cebu.”

The Sibonga Sangguniang Bayan has a total of 11 members --the vice mayor, eight regular council members (councilors) plus two ex-officio members (the president of the Liga ng mga Barangays and the representative of SK Federation).

The six votes endorsing the cement project were cast by the four regular councilors and the two ex-officios. The three who voted No were all regular council members or councilors. One councilor was absent during this particular session.

Immediately after, protesters and partners, within and outside of Sibonga, reacted and called for support for their continuing campaign to halt the cement project in this municipality.

In their July 3, 2024 statement entitled "Concern Over Sibonga Council's Endorsement of Bayan Cement Project", the Save Sibonga Movement wrote:

“The recent decision by six council members of Sibonga to endorse the Bayan Cement Producers Corporation's proposal to establish a cement processing plant, construct a wharf in a protected mangrove area in Barangay Sabang, and undertake large-scale limestone quarrying has sparked widespread condemnation and concern among local communities and environmental advocates."

Explaining their protest and objection to this project, the Save Sibonga Movement noted:

“The Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for this project, issued under DENR DAO 03-30, is already beyond the prescribed five-year validity period, raising significant legal and environmental compliance issues.

"Furthermore, this endorsement appears to contradict the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Memorandum Circular No. 2022-18, which emphasizes necessary requirements for LGUs to comply before issuing letters of no objection to an environmentally critical project.

“This project threatens not only our environment but also the livelihoods of our people who depend on fishing and agriculture," remarked a concerned resident of Sibonga.

"The proposed activities in a protected mangrove area could irreversibly damage the ecosystem that supports local fisheries and provides protection against natural disasters.

"Contrary to claims that such projects bring economic prosperity and employment opportunities, data from the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) show meager contributions of extractives to GDP (0.78%) and employment (0.4%).

"Mining and quarrying activities often fail to translate into sustainable economic gains for local communities, with benefits disproportionately favoring corporate interests rather than fostering inclusive development.”

Despite these objections, the Sibonga Sanggunian Bayan, by a slim margin, favorably endorsed the Bayan Cement Project.

On behalf of the protesting residents and partners in Sibonga, the Save Sibonga Movement publicly expressed their concern and this call:

"We urge the Sibonga council members to reconsider their endorsement of this project and prioritize the well-being of our environment and communities over short-term economic gains.

"There are alternative paths to economic growth that do not compromise our natural resources or jeopardize our future.

“Various stakeholders, including concerned citizens, environmental organizations, and community leaders, call for transparency, accountability, and a thorough reassessment of the potential impacts of the Bayan Cement project on Sibonga's ecological integrity and socio-economic fabric.”

The campaign calling all residents and partners to stop the Sibonga cement project will continue, according to the Save Sibonga Movement.

They hope more will join their campaign and believe their message: “YES to Asenso, NO to Semento – Kinabuhi ug Kalikopan sa mga Sibonganhon atong pandalipdan.”

Aside from active vigilance and partnership, prayers are certainly needed to protect Sibonga’s people and environment, now and in the future.