DateArea of StudyHeadlineTopic
2018.11.26MindanaoManobo leader killed

A Manobo leader known for his opposition to oil palm plantation is in critical condition after a reported ambush, Karapatan Caraga reported. Datu Walter España was shot by eight armed men in Brgy. Lucac, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. His companion, Rommel Romon died of gunshot wounds.		Indigenous People, Violence, Oil Palm Plantation
2018.03.15NegrosHinobaan Industrial Estate 'a long way to go'

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that the realization of the Hinobaan Industrial Estate is “still a long process” even as he assured oppositors of the project that provincial officials will listen to their sentiments.		Economic Zone
2017.11.30NegrosHinoba-an mayor: Disputed land originally industrial

BACOLOD City – The property was originally industrial and should not have been distributed to farmers, Mayor Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental said yesterday.		Economic Zone
2017.11.04NegrosHinobaan industrial estate to push through - governor

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Friday the Southern Negros Industrial Estate (SNIE) in Hinobaan will push through and that an inter-agency conference was held to thresh out some issues.
Economic Zone
2017.10.26NegrosGroup holds protest vs Southern Negros Industrial Estate

A group of residents of Hinobaan town with some members of environmental groups held a protest against the proposed Southern Negros Industrial Estate (SNIE) at the north side of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City Wednesday, October 25. 		Economic Zone
2016.12.12MindanaoSy eyes majority stake in Tampakan project

The group of tycoon Henry Sy is keen on scaling up its stake in mining—notwithstanding a challenging local regulatory and global commodity environment—by acquiring a majority stake in Mindanao’s vast Tampakan mine, touted as Southeast Asia’s biggest untapped gold-copper reserve.		Mining
2016.11.21PalawanCBNC hits grand slam in PH’s highest mining award

Amidst issues that continue to challenge the minerals industry, the Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) bagged again on Friday, November 18, the country’s highest mining award under the mineral processing category...		Mining
2016.10.16PalawanOmbudsman dismisses Macroasia’s raps vs PNNI, Brooke’s Point LGU

Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI) Executive Director Atty. Robert Chan announced in a press conference on Friday, October 14, that the Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the various cases filed in 2014 by Macroasia Corporation (Macroasia) against PNNI.....		Mining
2016.10.11PalawanPNNI bemoans existence of rubber plantation in Mt. Mantalingahan

The Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI), through its environmental para-enforcers, has recently discovered an approximately 100-hectare cleared area of forest in Bunog, Rizal, Palawan, which is reportedly being developed into a rubber tree plantation.		Plantation
2016.09.27PalawanStuffed marine turtles, shells confiscated in Bataraza, Palawan

Around 21 pieces of marine turtle shells and 21 pieces of stuffed marine turtles were confiscated on Wednesday, October 26, in Sitio Duruguan, Barangay Buliluyan, Bataraza, Palawan...		Animal Trafficking
2016.09.27PalawanDENR mines audit: RTN/CBNC passed; BNC, CitiNickel still suspended

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today released the results of its audit on mining operations in the country and based on the announcement......		Mining
2016.09.21PalawanLifting of mango export ban in Palawan not yet possible – DA

Following the proposed resolution of Board Member Roseller Pineda which requested the Department of Agriculture (DA) to lift the current export ban of mangoes from Palawan due to Mango Pulp Weevil infestation, Senior Agriculturist and DA-Palawan OIC Labrida Fuertes said such action is not yet possible.		Agriculture
2016.09.17PalawanPNNI drops Haribon Palawan, endorses new reps for monitoring Bataraza mines

Following the removal of Haribon Palawan from its roster of members, the Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI) has endorsed the Palawan Katutubo Mission (PKM)...		Mining, NGO
2016.09.07PalawanKaingin still prime cause of deforestation in Palawan – BM Rama

Board Member Albert Rama lamented against rampant illegal kaingin which he pinned as still the number one cause of deforestation and environmental degradation in the province.		Mining, Kaingin, Forest
2016.09.05NegrosMaricalum workers' claim hang in balance amid scrap feud

Millions of pesos worth of claims by thousands of workers at the Maricalum Mining Corporation in Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City hang in the balance as they are caught in the crossfire between two warring factions claiming possession of the scrap metal of the firm.		Mining
2016.09.05PalawanPalawan PNP rescues 23 human trafficking victims anew

Twenty-three more female victims of human trafficking in Bataraza, Palawan were rescued through a joint operation conducted by the Palawan Provincial Police Office...		Human Trafficking
2016.08.22PalawanCIDG rescues 13 human trafficking victims in Rio Tuba, Bataraza

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-Palawan) rescued 13 female victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment from a pension house in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza...		Human Trafficking
2016.08.17PalawanBuliluyan Port in Bataraza undergoes expansion for BIMP-EAGA trading

The Buliluyan Port in the municipality of Bataraza is currently undergoing rehabilitation and expansion of facilities to accommodate vessels that are expected to sail the trade route between Palawan and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.		Trade and Export
2016.08.16MindanaoGlencore completes Tampakan exit

Anglo-Swiss miner Glencore plc has completed its exit from the long-delayed Tampakan gold-copper project in Mindanao in a $290-million deal that also covered two other mining assets abroad...		Mining
2016.08.12MindanaoDENR cites Tampakan, Semirara violations

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will ask Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), the firm behind the $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold project, and Semirara Mining and Power Corp. to explain environmental violations discovered in the agency’s review...		Mining
2016.07.28PalawanPalawan Governor Alvarez signs ‘sisterhood agreement’ with Ningxia, China

Weeks after the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) ruling which favored the Philippines over China in the maritime row concerning the West Philippine Sea, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez and Ningxia Vice Governor Wang Heshan signed a ‘sisterhood agreement’ at the provincial capitol of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China...		Provincial Affairs
2016.07.28MindanaoDENR thumbs down Tampakan mine project

The $5.9-billion Tampakan project in South Cotabato, dubbed as potentially the country’s biggest foreign investment and believed to be one of the largest gold prospects in the world, will not materialize as Environment Secretary Gina Lopez remained firm in her decision not to allow operations even before it has started.		Mining
2016.07.26PalawanOperatives recover 178 dead sea turtles in Bataraza

The Provincial Law Enforcement Task Force recovered in today’s operation around 178 heads of dead marine turtles loaded in an unmanned motorized banca in Sitio Gadang Gadang, Barangay Taratak, Bataraza.		Animal Trafficking
2016.07.20PalawanProvincial Board to ask DENR to lift suspension on land titling in Palawan

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan approved in Tuesday’s session, July 18, a resolution requesting Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Regina Lopez to lift the suspension on land title issuance in the province.		DENR Land Titling
2016.06.21PalawanLand titling in Palawan still suspended

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is yet to lift the suspension of land titling in Palawan, said Regional Director for MIMAROPA Oscar Dominguez in a press conference...		DENR Land Titling
2016.06.15PalawanELAC submits position paper to DENR opposing DMCI’s coal-fired power project in Narra

Palawan-based non-profit group Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) has submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) MIMAROPA on Friday, June 10, their position paper opposing DMCI Power Corporation’s (DPC) proposed Coal-fired Power Plant in Bato-Bato, Narra, Palawan.		Narra
2016.06.11PalawanTerminated workers, IP beneficiaries stage picket against mining company in Narra

A group composed of terminated employees of mining company CitiNickel, along with the employees’ labor union, Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation (CMDC) in Bgy. San isidro, Narra, launched a picket against the said company...		Mining, Workers, Indigenous People
2016.05.02PalawanMayoralty rivals in Bataraza ink peace covenant

Heads of the two opposing political parties in Bataraza, Board Member Abraham Ibba and Mulsinin Abdurajik, inked a peace covenant on Saturday, April 30 at Rio Tuba town site to ensure the conduct of Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) in the said municipality.		Election Violence
2016.04.17PalawanPalawan nickel producers affected by falling metal prices in 2015

Endowed with among the biggest nickeliferrous laterite deposits in the country, the island province of Palawan is also the homeland of three (3) large scale operating nickel mines, one (1) Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant (HPP), and one (1) Lime Milk Plant...		Mining, Metal prices
2016.04.19PalawanPNNI demands justice for the death of comrades

The Palawan NGO Network Inc. (PNNI) demands justice for the killing of their two para-environmental enforcers Tendy Salamat and Ptr. Nestor Lubas who were shot in Brgy. Bulalacao, Bataraza.		Violence
2016.03.16PalawanPCSD Enforcement Team confiscates assorted lumber in Bataraza

About 1,021 board feet of assorted lumber without any permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) were confiscated by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Enforcement Team...		Logging
2016.02.04PalawanNarra to become city via oil palm industry- Malaysian Investors

The possibility of converting the town of Narra from being a first class municipality to a city can be realized thru development of oil palm industry says Camarul B. Osman, CEO of ALIF Agro Industrial Inc. – Philippines during the launching of Palawan Integrated Oil Palm Hub (PIOPH)...		Oil Palm Plantation
2016.01.26Negros'Millions worth of scrap metal from Maricalum Mining not stolen but auctioned, sold'

The tons of scrap metal valued at millions of pesos loaded in trucks from the compound of Maricalum Mining Corp. compound in Barangay San Jose, Sipalay on January 11, 2016 were not stolen items contrary...		Mining
2015.12.01PalawanLocal official proven involved in illegal logging activities in southern Palawan to face charges

The Provincial Law Enforcement Task Force is likely to file charges against certain local official allegedly involved in the illegal logging activities in the southern part of Palawan.		Logging
2015.11.27PalawanPalawan environmental agencies recover turtles, chainsaw and lumber in Bataraza

Palawan environmental agencies scores anew when they recovered 53 pieces of still unknown species of turtles, 8 units of chainsaw and thousands of board feet of illegally cut manggis tree species in the town of Bataraza		Logging, Animal Trafficking
2015.10.21PalawanPotable water to flow to 10,000 Bataraza households soon

Two large mineral development companies in the southern Palawan town of Bataraza will be partnering with the municipal and provincial governments to set up a P140-million Level-2 Water System Project (WSP) that would bring clean drinking water to 10,000 households.		CSR, Mining
2015.10.13PalawanCoral Bay Nickel plans new nickel processing plant in Palawan

Coral Bay Nickel Corp. (CBNC), a $180-million joint Filipino-Japanese nickel mining and refinery processing project in Rio Tuba, Palawan, is planning to put up a new nickel processing plant that will double the company’s nickel output to 20,000 metric tons (MT) in the next two to three years. 		Mining
2015.09.11PalawanPossible cancellation of weevil eradication project looms

There is a real possibility that the Mango Pulp Weevil Eradication Project will be cancelled due to the unavailability of funds.		Agriculture
2015.09.11PalawanCopra to be phased out as Palawan top crop

Copra is on its way out as one of the major products of Palawan province. This developed after the recently- concluded Palawan Coconut and Oil Palm Summit organized by the provincial government.		Plantation, Oil Palm
2015.08.27PalawanWild animals seized in Bataraza

The fight against illegal poaching of wild animals have intensified with the recent seizure of 119 wild animals in Bataraza town.		Animal Trafficking
2015.08.13PalawanLong way to go for RTNMC to get MPSA for Mt. Bolanjao claim-MGB

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said that it is still a long way for Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation to get a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement for its Mt. Bolanjao claim due to the implementation of Executive Order 79.		Mining, Forest
2015.08.12PalawanMynas and parrots rescued in Bataraza

A total of 20 talking Mynas and eight blue -naped parrots were rescued by operatives of the Bantay Palawan and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) in Bataraza.		Animal Trafficking
2015.08.11PalawanResidents fear for P229M projects as MGB Okays mining ops

Residents of Brgy. Ipilan, Brookes Point town, Palawan fear that their water and irrigation projects will be affected by a new mining operation in their locality.		Mining, Forest
2015.07.24PalawanTransparency in mining urged

There is a need for transparency both from the local government and the communities where there is mining.		Mining
2015.07.16PalawanHTU named as Research Center for Ancient Palawan

The Holy Trinity University in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, has been selected for a new college and research center to study ancient Palawan man (Tabonology).		Research
2015.07.10PalawanGov. Alvarez: 'I am not the author of coal'

Palawan Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez vehemently denied that he initiated the proposed coal fired power plant in Narra town.		Coal
2015.07.10NegrosLomugdang Ambush solved - Acebuche

Case is considered solved with the filing of frustrated murder against number 1 village councilman of Barangay Baclao, Cauayan, Noli Rico for the ambush of his colleague Kagawad Alfredo Lomugdang Wednesday.		Violence
2015.06.25PalawanLand titling in Palawan still suspended

Land titling has been temporarily suspended, according to the regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.		DENR Land Titling
2015.06.25MindanaoAlcantaras acquire Tampakan project

Anglo–Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining firm Glencore Plc has completed its exit from the controversial Tampakan project, touted as Southeast Asia’s largest untapped gold-copper reserve, with the sale of its remaining shares to the Alcantara group.		Mining
2015.06.25MindanaoGlencore to exit Tampakan project

ANGLO-SWISS miner Glencore Xstrata plc has moved to divest from the long-delayed $5.9-billion Tampakan gold-copper project in central Mindanao, which has been touted as potentially the largest foreign direct investment in the country to date.		Mining
2015.06.22PalawanCacao Farming on the rise in Palawan

Cacao farming is fast gaining many adherents among farmers in Palawan.		Agriculture, Cacao
2015.06.18Palawan4,402 Turtles recovered from Bataraza warehouse

A total of 4,402 Philippine pond turtles were recovered by authorities from a warehouse owned by a Chinese national in this town.		Animal Trafficking
2015.06.04PalawanDA steps up fight vs. mango pulp weevil spread

The Department of Agriculture in the province is stepping up its campaign against the spread of pulp weevil.		Agriculture, Mango
2015.05.28PalawanPCSD Oks Narra Coal Plant

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSD) approved today, May 28 the proposed 15 megawatt coal fired-power plant in the Narra town, two days after the provincial board endorsed it.		Coal
2015.05.25PalawanProv’l Board Pushes for IDs of Indigenous Peoples

The Palawan provincial board wants identification cards for indigenous people.		Indigenous People
2015.05.05PalawanCA junks MacroAsia mining bid


The Court of Appeals junked the petition of MacroAsia Corporation to conduct mining operation in 1,113.98 hectares in Sitio Linao, Brooke’s Point, Palawan.		Mining
2015.04.19PalawanPhp12-B Pamumuhunan ng del Monte-Arab sa Brooke’s Point

Nakipagpulong ang mga kinatawan ng Del Monte Arab kina Gov. Jose Ch. Alvarez, Mayor Mary Jean D. Feliciano, at iba pang mga opisyales ng Provincial Government of Palawan at Local Government of Brooke’s Point para sa posibleng pamumuhunan na nagkakahalagang 12 Bilyong Piso.		Plantation
2015.04.09PalawanMayor Feliciano, Nagbabala sa mga Nagsusunog sa Kabundukan

“Pasensyahan tayo, ngunit kailangan pairalin ang batas. Simula bukas, ayaw ko nangmakikitang may nagsusunog sa bundok. Ang hindi susunod, ipakukulong ko!”,ang mariing binigkas ni Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano ng Brooke’s Point		Forest, Kaingin
2015.02.02NegrosNo malice in my transfer - Limates

This is the call of Dr. Vilma Limates on her transfer as Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer in Sipalay City to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Guimaras as head of its technical services.		DENR, Logging
2015.02.02NegrosDENR guards reshuffled

As part of the national reshuffling move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENRO) of Sipalay and Kabankalan Cities were reassigned to new areas.		DENR, Logging
2015.01.19NegrosIs the capitol hands off on Damutan retrieval operations?

Is the provincial government taking a hands off approach to the controversial retrieval operations of fallen logs in Hinobaan town? This seems to be the position aired by provincial legal officer Jose Maria Valencia.		DENR, Logging, Provincial Government
2015.01.16NegrosA Call for Help: Poachers harassing Damutan residents

Armed men believed to be timber poachers are harassing local residents of Sitio Wilderness, Brgy. Damutan, Hinobaan, Atty. Jose Ma. Valencia, executive officer of Task Force Ilahas (TFI) said.		DENR, Logging
2015.01.13NegrosCENRO Sipalay refers lawyer's questions to DENR 6

The officer in charge of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Sipalay City has referred the letter of a private contractor in the retrieval operations of fallen logs in Sitio Wilderness in Brgy. Damutan, Hinoba-an...		DENR, Logging
2014.12.16NegrosRebels torch 3 heavy equipment of IBC in Sipalay

About 50 to 80 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned three heavy equipment of an Iloilo-based private contractor past 8:30 Sunday night in Sitio Taw-angan, Brgy. Gil Montilla in Sipalay City.		Insurgency
2014.12.12NegrosMaranon: 'Share your blessing'

Maranon cited the contributions made by philanthropist Merceditas Montilla, who donated the 2-hectare property in Barangay Canturay on which the hospital was built with an appropriation of about P125 million.		Montilla
2014.11.25NegrosGovernor confirmes illgal loggers ravaging Damutan Valley of Hinobaan, including birds

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., confirmed that illegal loggers operating in Sitio Wilderness, Brgy. Damutan, Hinobaan town are ravaging the area after the stoppage of the retrieval operations of fallen logs.		Logging, Animal Trafficking
2014.11.24NegrosSouth Cotabato firmly against open-pit mining

The provincial government of South Cotabato has shut the door to a review of the 2010 provincial legislation that bans destructive mining practices from the province.		Mining
2014.10.03Negros‘Nothing irregular in Damotan log retrieval’

This was the stand of the private contractor in the retrieval operations of logs from the virgin forest in Sitio Wilderness, Brgy. Damutan, Hinobaan.		DENR, Logging
2014.10.01NegrosDENR suspends Damotan Log recovery

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Andres Untal told NDB that the suspension order comes from DENR RTD Jim Sampulna effective September 29.		DENR, Logging
2014.09.29NegrosCENRO clarifies on retrieved logs

"It is not the local government of Hinoba-an selling the retrieved logs from the forest but the contractor."		DENR, Logging
2014.09.25Negros'Retrieval, sale of seized trees legal'

An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said, there is nothing illegal in the retrieval and sale of recovered trees of the local government of Hinobaan town.		DENR, Logging
2014.09.04NegrosSipalay folks fear soil erosion of quarry

Residents in Brgy. Nabulao, Sipalay City have aired their complaint to the Office of the Governor of Negros Occidental, regarding quarrying in their place.		Quarrying
2014.08.11NegrosRetired Generals notice decline in insurgency in Neg Occ

The retired army generals who are now staying in Negros Occidental lauded the partnership of the local government units in the province, and support of Gov. Alfredo Maranon, Jr. to the army having introduced the stakeholders bayanihan approach of the government in addressing insurgency.		Insurgency
2014.06.10NegrosNPAs attack transloading station

About 25 men claiming to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) swooped down a sugarcane transloading station in Sta. Ana, Brgy. Mabini in Escalante City Sunday night.		Insurgency
2014.02.01MindanaoGlencore Xstrata 'to pull out' of Philippine mining project

Swiss mining giant Glencore Xstrata is expected to pull out of a $5.9 billion gold-copper mining project in the Philippines, its Australian partner Indophil said.		Mining
2013.11.05MindanaoGov’t moves to resolve Tampakan issue

The Aquino administration has moved to act on obstacles that have delayed the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project, touted as potentially the Philippines’ biggest foreign investment to date.		Mining
2013.10.19MindanaoThe Tampakan quandary

On Feb. 19, 2013, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced that it issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the Tampakan copper-gold project of Sagittarius Mining, Inc. (SMI) in Southern Mindanao.		Mining
2013.06.21NegrosNPA attack forces Philex to temporarily close Negros mine

Some 100 Negrenses stand to lose their jobs with the temporary closure of Philex Gold Mining Corp. in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, Sipalay Mayor Oscar Montilla said.		Insurgency, Mining
2013.05.05NegrosNPAs raid mining site; 5 soldiers dead

Five soldiers were killed and two others were wounded yesterday during pursuit operations against communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels who attacked a mining complex in Sipalay City.		Insurgency, Mining
2013.02.07MindanaoSagittarius Mines to finally get Tampakan permit?

AGITTARIUS MINES Inc. (SMI) could finally get an environmental permit for its Tampakan copper-gold mine project, a Cabinet official indicated.		Mining
2012.11.29MindanaoTechnology key to agriculture, mining in Tampakan


A soil, agriculture and land use expert who has worked in agro-forestry and environmental impact assessment projects all over the country, and in Asia and South Africa, has identified training for local farmers and technology as the key to solving sustainable co-existence of the mining and agriculture in Tampakan, South Cotabato.		Agriculture, Mining