1,000 signatures reached
To: DENR Sec. Raphael P.M Lotilla.MGB Region II Engr.Mario Ancheta, MGB (OIC) Engr.Michael V.Cabada Cong. Timothy Joseph Cayton, Gov. Jose Gambito, and the Mayor & Municipal Council of Dupax del Norte.
STOP the Proposed Mining in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya – Protect Our Farms, Rivers, and Future
We, concerned citizens of Nueva Vizcaya and supporters from across the Philippines, strongly oppose the planned mining operations in Dupax del Norte.
Our province is known as the Watershed Haven of Region II, supplying clean water to farms, households, and communities downstream. Dupax del Norte’s fertile lands sustain generations of farmers and provide food security for many families. Allowing large-scale mining here will endanger our environment, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
Why We Oppose the Mining:
- Threat to Water Sources – Mining can pollute rivers and irrigation systems with silt and heavy metals, affecting agriculture and drinking water.
- Damage to Agricultural Lands – The proposed site covers farmlands and forests essential to local food production.
- Risk to Biodiversity – Our forests are home to endangered plants and animals; mining will destroy their habitat.
- Cultural and Community Impact – The area is part of our heritage and is home to Indigenous Peoples whose free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is required under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (RA 8371).
- Violation of Local Laws – Nueva Vizcaya has an Environment Code prohibiting destructive mining practices such as open-pit operations.
Our Call to Action:
We urge the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region II, and our local leaders to:
- Deny any mining permits or Environmental Compliance Certificates for the project.
- Enforce the Nueva Vizcaya Environment Code and uphold national environmental protection laws.
- Protect our watersheds, forests, and agricultural lands for present and future generations.
Mining may bring short-term profits to a few, but it will leave long-term damage to our land, water, and community. We call on all Filipinos to stand with us in defending Dupax del Norte from destructive mining.
Sign this petition to show the DENR, MGB, and our lawmakers that the people say NO to mining in Dupax del Norte!
Why is this important?
Dupax del Norte, in the heart of the Caraballo Mountains, is blessed with clean rivers, fertile farms, and lush forests that sustain every barangay in our town.
Mining will strip our mountains bare, poison our water, and destroy our way of life — just like what happened in Kasibu’s Didipio mine.
Once our forests are gone and our rivers run dry, no amount of money can bring them back. We must act now to protect our home, our children’s future, and the lifeblood of Nueva Vizcaya.