An environmental group in Marinduque has called on Gov. Melecio Go to move forward with the province's P6.4-billion settlement with a mining company, stressing the need to address decades of environmental damage caused by the 1996 Marcopper mining disaster.
The Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MACEC) said the settlement should pave the way for the rehabilitation of affected rivers, agricultural lands and communities that continue to face the consequences of the mining disaster.
Settlement Opens Door to Long-Overdue Rehabilitation
The disaster happened when a damaged drainage tunnel in a mine pit containing leftover mine tailings released toxic waste into one of Marinduque's major river systems. More than 400 families were displaced, while parts of the river system became unusable.
The $100-million settlement between the Provincial Government of Marinduque and the mining company's operator was approved by the Court of Appeals and will be paid over three years. Around $50.71 million was deposited into the provincial government's trust fund in October 2026.
Group Raises Concerns Over Rehabilitation Ordinance
MACEC's appeal followed reports that Go questioned the legality of Provincial Ordinance No. 250, Series of 2025, which sets the guidelines for the rehabilitation program and the use of settlement funds.
The ordinance provides for a Rehabilitation and Remediation Oversight Committee, a Project Management Office and safeguards to ensure transparency in fund utilization.
MACEC Board of Trustees Chairman Father Arvin J. Madla said the settlement presents an opportunity to finally address environmental hazards that have affected Marinduque for decades.
He urged the governor to convene the oversight committee and begin preparing a comprehensive rehabilitation master plan, including environmental assessments and necessary interventions.
Dams Need Urgent Technical Assessment
Madla also flagged the Maguila-guila and Makulapnit dams as among the mining-related structures that require immediate technical assessment due to concerns about their structural integrity and potential risks to nearby communities.
He stressed that the priority should be the safety of residents and the long-term protection of the province's environment, rather than political disagreements over the settlement.
MACEC called on the provincial government and other stakeholders to work together, warning that every year of delay leaves affected communities vulnerable to environmental risks and further postpones their recovery.
